Fuel Pricing

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:21): My question is to the Attorney-General. Why has the price of unleaded petrol spiked way above the now regular price cycle increase to being as high as $1.639 per litre at many outlets throughout Adelaide? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Ms BEDFORD: South Australians have unfortunately had to become very used to price rises to within the $1.50s, but we are now seeing them within the $1.60s. I know my constituents would like to know what is being done to stop that and how your real-time fuel pricing app will help, if it all—if at all.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (15:22): In relation to the initial question, if I may, I think I would probably be given the Nobel Prize if I were actually able to answer why petrol variations occur in the world. But can I say—as the member well knows, who has been very active in the consideration of cost-of-living initiatives of the government and in the debates in relation to the mandatory fuel aggregation and data publication legislation—the successful tenderer was announced before Christmas.

The aggregation commenced on 19 February, I think it was. Before the end of the month, we are expecting the commencement of the aggregation data benefits; that is, everyone's data will be in and available for access so that consumers can identify where their best price is in what geographical location. All retailers are required mandatorily to provide that data. There is a very significant fine, as the member knows, if that isn't uploaded within 30 minutes of a change. We are very proud of that initiative.

As the member is very clear in the understanding of this, having had very significant participation and contribution in the debate—and I thank her for that—we will be reviewing that after two years to consider what further action needs to be done in this space. We are very pleased that is coming to fruition. I can't assist the member's constituents as to why there is a fluctuation in price. That is something that is symptomatic all around Australia.

During the course of this debate, I was informed that South Australia apparently has one of the lowest petrol prices in the country. Nevertheless, we are hoping this initiative will arm the constituents in the member's electorate and generally be able to access the best price at any time.