MTA Queensland continue advocating for reform on fuel price boards

Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) has been actively campaigning for reforms to legislation governing fuel price boards for approximately ten years. These reforms are vital for fairness and transparency and will serve in the best interests of consumers and independent service station operators.

Concurrent to many briefings to the Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply, Mark Bailey and the Queensland Government, MTA Queensland, over many years, has completed numerous submissions and maintained strong advocacy for independent service station operators, to stop confusion at petrol bowsers and ensure prices on fuel display boards accurately display the full price of the fuel.

Following the Fuel Price Summit in 2016, MTA Queensland continued active campaigning with Minister Bailey and the Office of Fair Trading to influence regulatory reform of fuel price boards and ensure our members’ voices were heard and motorists’ rights were protected.

The Department of Energy and Water Supply and the Department of Justice and Attorney-General are working on draft regulations which will be released soon for public consultation. The government understands that consultation with Industry Associations like MTA Queensland is essential to ensure best practice outcomes.

MTA Queensland’s Group Chief Executive, Dr Brett Dale stated that, “The consensus at the Fuel Price Summit for a regulatory model, now in place in South Australian and Victoria, is the preferred approach for Queensland.

“Under this model, service stations are not allowed to display discounted fuel prices that are only available with a shopper docket or similar voucher. Service stations must display the full price of fuel allowing motorists to clearly see and compare the price. Retailers can still offer discounted fuel but that price cannot be displayed on the price boards.”