Fuel Price Monitoring

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:14): My question is to the Attorney-General. What investigational research is the government conducting to determine the market impact of the 30-minute fuel price publications scheme currently on trial and its effect following the petrol price rising sharply above the terminal gate price?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (15:15): I'm not specifically aware of any project research that has been referred to in relation to that. What we have been very clear about is, firstly, that the supervision of the compliance of this project, which is a two-year program, comes under Consumer and Business Services.

Mr Dini Soulio, as the commissioner, is responsible for both the compliance and enforcement of all fuel retailers, that is, advising of change of fuel price within, of course, the 30-minute time frame. There have been some notices issued by the commissioner, but he has the responsibility of monitoring that at present, issuing notices and enforcing compliance. As I have said before in the debate, and many times in answer to the member's questions, at the conclusion of the trial period it is expected it will be reviewed.

We have had the benefit of the Productivity Commission to assess this whole question of fuel pricing in South Australia and what models, if any, would be useful or would support a capacity for consumers to be able to monitor, select and have a choice to ensure they have the greatest accessibility to the best prices at any time. It may be that they are called upon in due course, but I'm not aware of any current research being undertaken, other than the compliance monitoring that is occurring by CBS.