Small steps towards changeservice station crime, fuel price boards, petrol prices and acapma@ the house

acapmaction

i consider it a priviledge and an honour to be an attendee at the cfic 2012 and my thanks go to acapma and apicsa for making this possible

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Robbery and serious crime; no jokeThe New South Wales Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Advisory Council has again been provided with an operational update as well as discussing the trends occurring in serious crime. Chaired by the NSW Police, this Council includes representatives from the Hotels, Clubs, Banking and Security industries, as well as ACAPMA representing petrol convenience.

Data provided by NSW Police during the meeting indicated that the incidents in service stations are still high, ranking second only to licensed premises.

ACAPMA CEO, Nic Moulis, attended the most recent meeting of the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Advisory Council in December 2012. He said that the information provided by the police indicated that the petrol convenience industry “has some work to do” in its efforts to reduce robbery and serious crime.

“Target hardening using CCTV, time delay safes and other physical mechanisms are important items petrol convenience operators should be

considering,” said Mr Moulis.

“Educating staff in cash handling; making those safe drops, as well as techniques and skills in

observation and robbery survival are also key to helping reduce the rates and impacts of crime.”

ACAPMA explained to members of the Advisory Council that it had instituted several tools, which the Association believes will help operators meet their commitment to crime prevention and safety. The resources that have been developed include online training in robbery prevention and survival, a face-to-face training component in the

Petrol Convenience Compliance (PCC)

course and the launch of the National Drive-off Register.

“ACAPMA developed each element with best practice operation in mind,” said Mr Moulis.

“By providing the training in various forms, ACAPMA has taken into account that time and cost is important to businesses. It is our aim to make it as easy as possible for petrol convenience

operators and employees alike to undertake the steps necessary to stop serious crime in our industry.”

More information on the ACAPMA resources can be obtained by visiting acapma.com.au or calling ACAPMAssist on 1300 160 270.

Time to comment on fuel price boards Petroleum distributors and petrol convenience retailers were invited to provide feedback to the public consultation that aims to explore a consistent national approach to the display of information on fuel price boards.

Consumer Affairs have released the consultation document in an effort to address concerns raised by consumers relating to information on fuel price boards, namely; how discounted prices are displayed.

In his comments with the release of the consultation paper, Assistant Treasurer, the Hon. David Bradbury said, “There needs to be a consistent, national approach to the regulation of fuel price boards”. He believes that currently some price boards cause confusion for motorists and that consumer’s need “confidence, they won't be misled by signs that don't give them the full picture.”

"Two key objectives for Ministers are ensuring that consumers are sufficiently well-informed when making purchasing decisions, and that there is an integrated and harmonised approach in Australia to protecting consumers. In line with these objectives, the consultation paper contains options for a consistent national approach to how information is displayed to consumers on fuel

price boards,” said the Hon. Mr Bradbury.

"I would encourage motorists and other stakeholders to make a submission to the consultation paper. The outcomes of the consultation will be considered by Consumer Affairs Ministers when deciding on the appropriate course of action to take."

ACAPMA have already commenced their process of industry consultation prior to the white paper being released. Through ACAPMA Chief Executive Officer, Nic Moulis, the Association has held discussions with major retailers, governments and the ACCC.

“When a point of change like this occurs, ACAPMA consults widely with members and industry to gain knowledge,” said Mr Moulis.

“This knowledge is used to provide a submission that reflects the views of all Association members.

“As the released document proposes several options for a national regulation, ACAPMA has chosen to again revisit with members and others for further facts and data.

“Our webinar during mid-January allowed us to provide an overview of the options being proposed. The session also allowed industry stakeholders to ask questions, provide comments and complete a survey that will help ACAPMA with its submission.”

Businesses wishing to provide feedback on fuel price boards can do so by emailing nicm@acapma.com.au

Servo owners the biggest losersThe average retail price for petrol may have increased by around 11 cents per litre (cpl) during the last financial year. However, ACAPMA says that little of this has made it to petroleum distributors and service station owners.

The ACCC report into the prices, costs and profits of unleaded petrol in Australia, released on 6

December 2013, indicated that while Australian fuel prices are amongst the lowest in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the main influences on Australian retail petrol prices are international prices and the exchange rate. The report suggested that the high Australian dollar exchange rate acted as a shield for motorists against higher prices during 2011-2012. The ACCC also concluded that profits in the downstream industry were not excessive.

Referring to the report, ACAPMA’s Chief Executive Officer Nic Moulis explained that: “Overwhelmingly, the cost of crude oil has been the largest contributor to the increase in the average price during the last twelve months.

“The ACCC analysis indicates that, of the 11cpl increase in the average retail price of

regular unleaded, the cost of crude oil went up 8.9 cpl, so it now accounts for 74.9 cents of every litre sold.

“The rise in price also meant that the Australian Government collected a total of 51.1 cpl in excise and GST.

“This says 88 percent of the retail price is taken up by the cost of crude oil and taxes.

“The ACCC report again shows that local wholesale distributors and retailers have little influence on the price motorists pay for fuel.”

• ACAPMA

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