00:01They've opened an investigation into allegations of anti-competitive conduct by major fuel
00:08suppliers, particularly affecting regional and rural Australia.
00:13We have very little details, I have to say, but accept to say that the allegations are
00:20that major fuel suppliers and their Ampol, BP, Mobil and Viva Energy are under investigation
00:27over allegations that they engaged in conduct that affected independent players in those
00:35markets.
00:36But what those allegations are beyond that, I couldn't tell you.
00:40And it seems very unlikely that this has anything to do with price gouging, that this is all about
00:47anti-competitive conduct and supply of diesel fuel into those markets in regional Australia.
00:54And I would say that this is a very unusual approach from the ACCC, its investigations.
01:02It normally keeps very close to its chest, particularly when they're in the very early stages.
01:09And the ACCC tipped its hat to that in the announcement it made this morning, but said that it considers
01:17the allegations very serious and that it needs to investigate urgently and that it was taking
01:23this step of telling the public about it.
01:26We've only heard back from BP.
01:28I've contacted all of the companies.
01:30I'd expect they'll come back to us later today.
01:33BP says it takes these matters very seriously, that it's trying to understand the allegations
01:39at the moment and engaging with the ACCC over them and said, while the investigation is ongoing,
01:46it would be inappropriate to comment further.
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