Real-Time Fuel Pricing

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:03): My question is to the Attorney-General. Is the Attorney-General aware that motorists in Queensland have saved $122 million since the introduction of real-time fuel pricing?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (15:03): I think the member is actually mistakenly referring to some data that is an opinion piece provided by, if I am correct, the equivalent of our RAA in Queensland. It was published in some material which was supplementary to another article of which there had been an assessment made on the effectiveness of their fuel app equivalent. This is a trial that they are undertaking. We have made inquiry with the government in Queensland as to the availability of the data that they are reviewing, which they have indicated would be available here before the end of the year. We are obviously expecting it fairly soon to review.

As the member knows, unfortunately, in relation to fuel apps that have been applied in New South Wales, the data reviews suggested that they may have increased fuel prices. The Victorian government did the same in looking at this matter and decided they would not progress with that option. The ACT, I think, are in a similar position. Western Australia have an entirely different approach. Queensland weren't all that keen on it, but they said they would do a trial. Obviously we are waiting to see what that trial is.

In the meantime, as I have advised the member for Florey and kept her briefed on this area of interest to her, I think the Western Australian model has some capacity and may, with modification, be able to give greater assistance to motorists. That's something we are also developing. We are trying to find out what will work and actually be of service without putting petrol prices up—it will obviously cost money whatever we do—and will not actually result in a disadvantage to motorists by having an overall increase in petrol prices.

Unfortunately, this is not as simple as one would expect: just put it in an app, that's easy; tick the box, this will be fine, we have actually provided a service. It has to work and it has to have no negative outcomes. We have reviewed the data that the member is referring to and we can seek some further information from Queensland.

They did recently, in the last few weeks, do an article on other information, which didn't ultimately turn out to be confirmed but, nevertheless, we are open to consideration of this material. I think our own Royal Automobile Association (RAA) are keen to try to come up with some resolution on the matter—so are we.