The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will not object to BP Australia Limited moves to offer discounted petrol to customers who buy groceries from certain supermarkets. The ACCC decided today to allow a notification lodged by BP in respect of this offer to stand.
This offer, and other ones like it, is good for consumers, ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today.
BP's notification is the latest in a series received by the ACCC since the Woolworths petrol group notified the ACCC that it would be offering its customers a similar discount.
Selling petrol at a discount only to customers who buy groceries from certain supermarkets probably constitutes third line forcing. Third line forcing is a breach of section 47(6) and (7) of the Trade Practices Act.
However, businesses can gain immunity from court action by lodging a notification with the ACCC under section 93 of the Act, which is what BP has done in this case. The immunity protects against action, not only by the ACCC, but also by private parties.
Further information on this media release contact Professor Allan Fels, Chairman, (03) 9290 1812 or pager (016) 373 536 Ms Lin Enright, Director, Public Relations, (02) 6264 2808.
