Real-Time Fuel Pricing

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (14:53): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General provide an update to the house on real-time fuel pricing?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:53): I thank the member for Newland because this is an important question in the lead-up to the Easter and ANZAC Day long weekends. It is a very important matter, and, of course, prior to the election we had a number of discussions with the RAA and indicated that we would follow this up. So it is with some disappointment that I advise that the government ultimately didn't find a workable and productive solution with the RAA to improve South Australia's access to real-time information about petrol pricing around the state following their calls for this over the last two years.

Over the last few months, the government has been in talks to partner with the RAA to establish a new system, with a system offered to them. However, I regret to inform the house that the RAA is unable to commit to its involvement as part of the initiative at this time. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts we have been unable to agree on a model that would give South Australians access to real-time information that would help them find the cheapest petrol. The government appreciates that the data collection of this type of information requires significant investment and organisation and commends the work of private app developers in collating a timely fuel price for the public.

The RAA has been a longstanding advocate for consumers in this area, and their involvement in this work would have been a fantastic addition to any real-time fuel pricing program, which of course would have improved South Australians' access to up-to-the-minute data about petrol prices. There are, however, existing measures for consumers to seek information about the cost of petrol around the state right now. There are a range of smart phone apps, such as MotorMouth, that can help South Australians determine where they can find the cheapest petrol price. I am pleased to stay—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —up to date with the work of the MotorMouth and the ways in which they work with retailers to provide up-to-date data for their consumers. While our preference would be for the RAA, who have been pursuing this issue for a considerable period of time, to partner with the government to implement systems that would be enabled by legislation that we would develop, I now explore other options available.

The government will continue to monitor the Queensland government's current trial of real-time reporting to see if something similar could work here for South Australia. We will also explore other options available to government in mandating the disclosure of fuel prices across the state. Further, we will continue to monitor the situations in both New South Wales and the Northern Territory and, as I have previously, remain cautious of any real-time option which may inadvertently increase petrol prices and add further cost-of-living pressures to South Australia, an issue that in fact was alerted to us by the RAA.

Reducing cost-of-living pressures and red-tape reduction remain a priority for the government. We will continue to look at other options. So it is with regret that I advise the house that the RAA won't be partnering with us in this matter.

The SPEAKER: The member for West Torrens has two warnings and has the call.