The federal court has ruled that Mobile Oil Australia must pay $16 million in fine over false or misleading statements.
The ruling came after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) filed legal action in 2024.
Mobil Oil Australia Order to Pay Fine
According to a report by 9News, Mobil had been accused of making false or misleading statements about fuel sold in nine petrol stations in Queensland.
Per the report, the company admitted to numerous instances of displaying branding and signage that claimed that the fuel sold at these stations was “Mobil Synergy Fuel.”
In reality, the fuel being sold at these stations was no different from the unadditised fuel at other non-Mobil locations.
These instances reportedly took place between August 2020 and July 2024.
ACCC Reacts to the Fine
According to ABC News, a Mobil spokesperson has already apologised but noted that the affected stations “make up a small proportion of the entire Mobil network in Australia.”
ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh reacted to the fine, saying that it sends an important message to other retailers.
“It sends an important message to the industry that they have to be honest and not misleading in relation to the claims they make about their products,” said Keogh.
He added, “Other petrol stations weren’t making these claims, and they were potentially disadvantaged for being honest.”
