The Victorian government will “name and shame” petrol stations charging the highest fuel prices under a new update to its Servo Saver app, part of its broader crackdown on price gouging.
The app, launched in March, allows motorists to compare fuel prices across the state, with retailers required to set next-day prices by 2pm. From Monday, stations with the highest prices will be marked with a red indicator, while the cheapest will be highlighted in green.
More than 520,000 Victorians are now using the app, which sits at the centre of the Allan government’s fuel pricing reforms. Since its introduction on 10 March, over $80,000 in fines have been issued to 25 retailers for failing to comply with reporting requirements.
However, the app has faced criticism since launch, including technical glitches and inaccurate pricing. Reports have shown discrepancies of up to 50 cents per litre between listed and actual prices, while some stations were found charging more than what was displayed.
Industry figures have also raised concerns, arguing the reporting system is overly complex and was introduced without sufficient consultation.
Despite this, Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos said the app is “making a real difference”.
“And we are cracking down on any retailers who are wilfully trying to rip off Victorians,” he said. “With these changes it’ll now be even easier to avoid retailers ripping you off and find the cheapest fuel.”
The updated version will also include improvements to the app’s interface, making it easier for users to identify available fuel types.
Source: Herald Sun
