Australia: ACCC drops proceedings against petrol retailers

The competition watchdog has discontinued proceedings against several petrol retailers including Woolworths and 7-Eleven, after previously alleging the use of price comparison site Informed Solutions decreased competition between service stations.

The announcement comes after Coles Express agreed to stop using Informed Solutions after being pursued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. However, the ACCC was still pursuing BP Australia, Caltex Australia, Woolworths and 7-Eleven until shortly before Christmas over the use of the price comparison site.

The resolution of the court proceedings means Informed Solutions must make its information available to consumers at the same time as the petrol retailers that subscribe to its service.

The petrol retailers will also not have to pay the competition watchdog’s costs. ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement the resolution of the court proceedings is good news for competition in the sector.

“The ACCC believes that greater transparency of petrol prices and the behaviour of petrol retailers across Australia will reduce the potential for any adverse effect of the Informed Sources service on competition,” Sims said.