The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has begun legal proceedings alleging price-fixing by two petrol retailers in the suburb of Woodridge, south of Brisbane.
The ACCC has alleged in the Federal Court that during periods in 2002 to 2004 Mr Terence O'Keeffe and Mr Parmjit Singh, the respective managers of the Matilda Woodridge and BP Logan City sites (which are both located on Kingston Road Woodridge) made and gave effect to arrangements that they would agree the time within the weekly price cycle that they would each increase their prices for unleaded petrol, and the amount they would each charge.
It is further alleged that Mr Terence O'Keeffe and Mr Parmjit Singh made and gave effect to an arrangement to increase their respective prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in November 2002.
It is alleged Mr Terence O'Keeffe made the unleaded petrol arrangements on behalf of O'Keeffe Nominees Pty Ltd, and the LPG arrangement on behalf of Meribell Pty Ltd. It is alleged Mr Parmjit Singh made both the unleaded petrol and the LPG arrangements on behalf of Gullyside Pty Ltd. It is alleged such arrangements contravene section 45 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
The ACCC is seeking injunctions and declarations against Gullyside Pty Ltd and Mr Parmjit Singh, and is seeking injunctions, declarations and pecuniary penalties against O'Keeffe Nominees Pty Ltd, Meribell Pty Ltd and Mr Terence O'Keeffe.
The matter has been listed for a directions hearing before Justice Kiefel in the Federal Court, Brisbane, on 15 June 2005 at 9.30 a.m.