Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Joan Madden has ordered Google to release the blogger's name to Ms Cohen so she can commence defamation proceedings against the secret writer.
Bloggers and twitterers be warned: The secret society of the internet has abruptly ended with this landmark judgment.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Cr Clarke told the Gold Coast Council meeting: "If Ipswich has won it, how prestigious can it be?"
He has described Ipswich residents as "lower-class leftovers" who couldn't afford to live in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
Goodna Councillor Paul Tully, Queensland's longest-serving City Councillor, has slammed Cr Clarke saying his on-going personal denigration of Ipswich was a scandalous attack on the city's 160,000 residents.
Cr Tully has invited the Gold Coast Mayor to Goodna's historic Royal Mail hotel to explain his views to the local residents whom he describes as the "salt of the earth".
"I challenge Ron Clarke to come to Goodna any Friday afternoon and repeat his comments that we are lower-class leftovers.
"He wouldn't have the guts to turn up knowing his much-needed pugilistic skills were well-short of his former athletic ability.
"He would be tarred and feathered before he could get back to his mayoral limousine.
"The 140-year old Royal Mail hotel is where political arguments are still settled in the old fashioned way as they were in the days when the Cobb & Cobb coaches stopped at the front door.
"The mayoralty has gone to Ron Clarke's head as he condemns and criticises the residents of Queensland's oldest provincial city."
Cr Tully said the people of the Gold Coast should give Ron Clarke the Royal Order of the Boot.
"He has gone too far this time.
"Ron Clarke should stick with his toffee-nosed, chardonnay-drinking, white shoe brigade mates on the Gold Coast before he criticises another city.
"I doubt he has ever been to Ipswich but I can assure him of a civic reception he will never forget if takes up my challenge to explain himself at the Royal Mail Hotel at Goodna," Cr Tully said.
19 August 2009
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PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Gold, Gold, Gold.
What could be more-inducing than an offer of untold golden riches.
This scam offers cheap gold dust but is nothing more than complete bull dust.
This scam looks innocent enough with no upfront demand for name, date of birth or bank account details.
But as sure as night follows day, the request for personal information will come later - with disastrous financial consequences for anyone sucked into this scam.
Be warned - trash this scam immediately.
This is a copy of the latest poorly-worded email scam:
From: keita, modibo
Subject: Gold proposal
SOFART GOLD SARL
Dear sir,
My Name Is Mr. Modibo keita A Native Of Sanso Community In Morila-Sikasso Region Of Rep. Of Mali French Speaking West African Country.
I Am a Member of the Said Community and Head of Sales, Marketing, advertising, communication and sourcing agent for our Gold Dust AU.
Prior To The Latest Privilege Accorded Local Gold Miners In Mali Since April 2007 To Market And Sell Gold Dust Au Themselves, Thus My Offer To All Gold Dust Prospective Buyers Willing To Establish Meaningful Business Transaction That Is Viable And Durable with us.
We Are Trying to Explore the Gold Dust Au International Market Now a days.
Hence, I'm offering you a Fresh Gold Dust AU for Sale with the Following Specifications
Commodity...................... ...........Aurum Utalium (Au)Form........................... ...............Gold Dust/nugget PowderQuantity....................... ..............120kg and As Per Availability AlwaysQuality/Purity................. ..............22+CaratFiness......................... ................92% or betterLocation....................... ............... MaliOrigin......................... .................MaliPrice per Kg................................$16, 000 USD/KG (Negotiable)
In Future We Also Wish To Invest The Returns We Have from Gold Dust Au Sales In other Lucrative Businesses, thus, we might seek your advice if possible.
We welcome all inquiries about details and procedures.
Accept our Warm Regards,
modibokeitaforgold@gmail.com+223 733 222 01
Mr. Modibo Mali
............................................
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Celebrity Australian chef Peter Russell-Clarke has finally cracked KFC's 50-year old secret recipe of the 11 secret herbs.
Ten of the mysterious ingredients are found in almost every Australian kitchen.
Number 11 is the dreaded MSG, Peter Russell-Clarke says.
According to an official Russell-Clarke taste test, his concoction is exactly the same as the KFC original.
Colonel Harland Sanders would turn in his grave.
Is nothing sacred or secret anymore?
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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A state government investigation is underway into an incident on the Ipswich Motorway when a driver fell asleep at the wheel of his car after mistakenly being given sleeping tablets instead of heart tablets by his local chemist.
The Redbank man had been wrongly taking the sleeping tablets for 5 days before the mistake was discovered.
He pulled over at the Goodna exit during the peak hour rush after nodding off on the 100,000 vehicles a day motorway.
The driver later confronted the chemist and has lodged an official complaint with the Pharmacists Board which is investigating the incident.
Queensland Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully has called for a crackdown on chemists dispensing wrong prescriptions.
He said the case highlighted the need for chemists to take more care in dealing with the public.
"The average consumer wouldn't know the fancy names being used by pharmaceutical companies and could easily be confused if given the wrong medication.
"This incident could have resulted in a major tragedy on the Ipswich Motorway as a direct result of professional incompetence.
"Pharmacists are university trained professionals who should never get this sort of thing wrong.
"The State Government must act firmly over this potentially-deadly incident to ensure it never happens again," Paul Tully said.
............................................
ORIGINAL EMAIL COMPLAINT:
(Personal details have been omitted by Queensland Consumer Watch.)
Copy of this email addressed to and faxed to:
Pharmacists Board of Queensland at Office of Health Practitioner Registration Board
To whom it may concern.
Last week I presented at my local Chemist, (name deleted), and requested Minax (Metoporol) tablets via a script supplied by Dr (name deleted).
I have been taking Minax, one tab twice a day for heart condition. The script was processed by (name deleted), the Chemist owner of the Pharmacy and on my arrival home I removed the bottle from the pharmacy packet and noticed that it was different to normal Minax.
The bottle was the same white plastic with a blue safety-lock lid and the label attached by the Chemist indicated "Metoporol" with Minax shown under but in smaller print and with the instructions to take one tablet twice a day.
The difference that I noted was that instead of the usual bland Minax original label on the bottle, the original label on this bottle was a bright purple/red label showing 'PROZAM or PRAZAM'.
It was quite noticeable and fortunately not covered over by the Chemists add-on label described above.
I noticed the different label but thought it must have been a generic brand of Minax. (My usual Avapro blood pressure tables have recently been supplied as Karvea, a generic alternative) and not knowing otherwise I believed that the Prozam was a generic brand of Minax/Metoporol. And as stated,the Chemists label indicated Metoporol/minax.
I have no qualms about using or being supplied with a generic alternative.
On the weekend I commenced to use the new bottle as the previous bottle had run out.
I noted that the tablets in the new bottle were red/orange in colour and I again assumed they were a generic substitute and continued to take one tab morning and night.
I did not get alarmed for the first few days but felt lethargic and as soon as I relaxed, tried to read the paper or watch TV, my eyes became heavy and I had a feeling of tiredness and nodding off.
I went to work, Redbank to St. Lucia Mon & Tues and felt very tired and weary, especially driving home and not responding easily to my early morning alarm wake up.
On Wed. I went by train to Wickham Terrace for a periodical ENT Specialist checkup.
I could barely stay awake on the train both ways and whilst at the Drs waiting room I kept nodding off.
Throughout that day I felt slightly squeamish in the stomach, but only slight and it did not concern me.
That Wed. night I fell asleep whilst watching TV, something I have never done before. I gave thought to the way I had been feeling and believed that I may have been getting a flu/virus or whatever.
On Thurs 6.8.09 morning I fell asleep again after the alarm and was a good hour late for work and now cannot recall my drive to work.
Again, lethargic all day and may as well have not been at work. By the time I got onto the Ipswich Motorway on the drive home I felt very tired and should not have driven and at present with the new work there is nowhere to stop safely. I turned off into the Goodna egress lane and stopped and walked around the vehicle and pondered my state of well-being.
I decided to check with the Chemist if the 'generic' tablets could be the cause, if not I would see my GP as to whether I had a flue/virus/whatever.
I got to the Chemist and spoke to (name deleted) and then retrieved the bottle which she identified as sleeping tablets and not Minax.
She was most apologetic and stated that she did not know how she made such a mistake ALTHOUGH there is a PROMINENT difference in the original labels of Minax and Prozam/Prazam.
I am now aghast at the mistake and implications, especially as I had been driving.
Luckily I deduced that I was not my normal self and sought advice. Other people or older people could have kept using the tablets until the bottle was empty or an accident/incident occurred.
I will now not leave a Chemist until I have thoroughly checked or queried every item.
One puts considerable trust in professionals such as Chemists.
I now hope that the relevant Authorities could take action to have original labels altered to show what the tablet/medicine is for in simple layman terms. MINAX with "For heart condition" or "heart treatment" shown under MINAX and PROZAM with "Sleeping tablet" or "Sedative tablet" under or next to PROZAM and etc right across the broad range of drugs/medicines/tablets.
Not knowing where to start, I have forwarded this information to the various addresses in the hope that the recipients can help towards amending or clarifying such anomalies that could be disastrous and to ensure that Chemists take better care.
I do not believe that proper care was taken by the Chemist when my script was dispensed.
If necessary this letter could be shortened to: Patient believed sleeping tablets dispensed and labelled by a Chemist for heart condition treatment, to be a generic brand in lieu of the normal heart treatment tablet, until uncharacteristic tiredness caused the patient to ask questions.
A simple addition to the label showing what the medicine is for in simple terms would reduce mistaken use.
(Name deleted)
Redbank
..........................................
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Ipswich is the big winner under the new Southeast Queensland Regional Plan released today by the State Government.
Residential, commercial and industrial development combined with the protection of key environmental areas are the main themes for Ipswich.
This is a synopsis of the SEQ Regional Plan 2009 - 2031 in relation to Ipswich:
Implications for the City of Ipswich
The SEQ Regional Plan provides a land use planning framework for Queensland, effectively identifying a hierarchy of planning policy and priority responsibility between State Agencies, and Local Government and the key delivery mechanisms for implementing both statutory and non-statutory planning policy.
Growth
The Plan forecasts that Ipswich's population will grow from 142,400 persons (2006) to 435,000 persons by 2031 an increase of 292,600 persons over 25 years, i.e. an average of 11,704 persons per year.
To accommodate this growth, dwelling production needs to grow from 52,300 dwellings in 2006 to 118,000 dwellings in 2031. An increase of 65,700 dwellings over 25 years, i.e. an average of 2,628 dwellings per year.
The Plan also advocates that of these additional dwellings 18,000 will be constructed as infill development in existing urban areas of the City.
Economy and Employment
The Plan recognises the principal regional activity status of Ipswich CBD and Springfield Town Centre; and the major regional activity functions of Goodna and the future Ripley Urban Core.
The administrative, cultural and community functions of the Ipswich CBD are promoted as well as its sub-regional retail and commercial functions.
In addition to the employment offered by the City's significant centres, Ipswich has major existing and future employment generators in Ebenezer/Willowbank, Swanbank, New Chum, Riverview/Bundamba, Redbank Peninsula, Wulkuraka, Carole Park, RAAF Base Amberley and the Amberley Aerospace and Defence Support Centre. These employment opportunities not only provide the City with a robust and growing economy but will ensure a high level of employment self-containment and be a major contributor to the Region's employment growth.
Identified Growth Areas
Lanefield-Grandchester is identified as a future growth area requiring significant investigation to determine its suitability for urban growth.
..........................
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Some of the individual states in the US are already considering, or implementing, a lower voting age.
The voting age was last changed across Australia 35 years ago as it became obvious that younger, more-mature individuals had the capacity to take on the responsibilities of adulthood prior to the age of 21.
I first advocated reducing the voting age to 16 almost 20 years ago and again promoted the idea in March 2008.
Modern sixteen year olds have the commonsense, maturity and interest in community issues to justify a reduction in the voting age to 16.
The only real question is:
How soon will it happen?
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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The last race ever at Rocklea was run today.
This is truly the end of an era.
Punters - big and small - had tales to tell of decades of happy punting at the unique Rocklea track.
The big question is:
Can Marburg fill the gap?
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Its latest catalogue proudly proclaims on page 2 that customers can get a free Wii Sports Resort by trading in "2 Wii games"*.
That's right. There's a tiny asterisk which takes you to te bottom of the page in even tinier print - which almost needs a magnifying glass to read - which has a list of rules and requirements and at the end it states:
"Some exclusions may apply, for a detailed list go to www.jbhifi.com.au/games/tradeins"
That's fair enough. There must always be some exceptions or exclusions to offers which seem too good to be true because they usually are!
One parent - a long-time large spending JB HI-FI customer - who thought he was doing the right thing this week by his Wii-fanatic son made a 34km round trip into JB HI-FI's Riverlink store in Ipswich to take advantage of the advertised offer.
He was flatly refused because the 2 exchange Wii games were not in their original packaging!
The young boy was in tears thanks to this insidious and deceptive advertising.
This was hardly classifiable in a legal sense as simply an "exclusion". It was apparently a fundamental requirement of the offer to obtain the free Wii device and should have been clearly and specifically mentioned in the body of the actual advertisement.
This is a new derivative of the old "bait and switch" advertising technique in the 1970s - hook 'em in and try to flog them something else when the original offer is unavailable or wrapped up in a myriad of impossible conditions.
So what does the JB HI-FI website say about the conditions of trade?
Again, in tiny tiny print, customers are told they must provide the original case and manual.
There is nothing about this in the main glossy advertisement which has been used to deliberately suck customers into JB HI-FI stores.
It seems the main trade-in requirement has been deliberately left out to induce customers to come to a store to be told the bad news.
The ACCC needs to crack down on this sort of trickery.
Customers who travel in good faith over long distances are being duped by these fine print exclusion clauses.
JB HI-FI has a legal and moral duty to comply with section 52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974 which outlaws "misleading or deceptive" conduct in trade or commerce.
The ACCC must take legal action against these unscrupulous practices which are constantly conning Australian consumers.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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The Police Union says there's only 25 corrupt cops who have been identified in the "Dangerous Liaisons" Report released by the CMC today.
Memo to the Queensland Police Union:
"25 IS 25 TOO MANY".
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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The bike rider was speeding, unlicensed and unregistered when he came off his bike at Redcliffe, yet the police persisted in charging the ex-Deputy Mayor of Redcliffe with assault in trying to stop the clown before he seriously hurt someone.
But today, a District Court Judge rightly tossed the case out.
Peter Houston is an honest, intelligent and decent person and should never have been dragged through the courts over such an outrageous matter.
The rider was acting illegally at the time on several counts and it beggars belief that the Redcliffe police charged Peter Houston who was acting as a public-minded citizen.
The CMC should investigate this matter.
Tonight, Peter Houston can walk free with his head held high!
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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The ACCC does nothing.
Joe Dimasi, the Petrol Commissioner does nothing.
It might need People Power - similar to that which has occurred in New Zealand - to bring the rapacious oil companies to heel!
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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What's the bet that the Cockroaches won't be doing the same?
If they did, they'd be lucky to make it past the old Police Barracks on Petrie Terrace.
No, you can be sure the Cockies will sneak through the usual back blocks and dingy alleyways of suburban Brisbane to get to the Cauldron for their third successive defeat this year.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Be warned and warn your friends:
Reply to: You are a winner of two million in the free lottery.
From: Brisson, Mr. Gerald
Contact for claim below Mr. Gerald Brisson,
Email: freelottclaims@w.cn
Name
Address
Age
Occupation
Country
..........................
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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What is the Federal Government doing via ISPs to block these insidious emails which are financially destroying innocent Australian families?
Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully says: "It's time for the Federal government to act against these internet fraudsters who are ripping off innocent victims day after day".
This is the latest scam:
Hello Dear
I know that this mail might come to you as a surprise because you don't know me and I don't know you too.
My name is Sana Mohamed Atif , I am 24 years old girl and an orphan from Sudan.
My late father Mr Mohamed Atif was the deputy general manager with CNPC oil company at Khartoum refinery in Sudan.
My late father was killed alongside with my beloved mother and our family house burnt down by the rebels during the last crisis in my country when Janjaweed militant came to our house, and this was what sent me away from my country to Burkina Faso as I made my escape only by God's special grace.
You can read more about my country in the bbc news
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6469857.stm
I am constrained to contact you because of the maltreatment which I am receiving from my step mother.
She planned to take away all my late father's treasury and properties from me since the unexpected death of my beloved Father.
Meanwhile I wanted to travel to Europe, but she hide away my international passport and other valuable documents.
Luckily she did not discover where I kept my father's File which contained important documents.
Now I am presently staying in the Mission in Burkina Faso.
I am seeking for long term relationship and investment assistance.
My father of blessed memory deposited the sum of US$ 8.5 Million in one bank in Burkina Faso with my name as the next of kin.
I had contacted the Bank to clear the deposit but the Branch Manager told me that being a refugee, my status according to the local law does not authorize me to carry out the operation.
However, he advised me to provide a trustee who will stand on my behalf.
I had wanted to inform my stepmother about this deposit but I am afraid that she will not offer me anything after the release of the money.
Therefore, I decide to seek for your help in transferring the money into your bank account while I will relocate to your country and settle down with you.
As you indicated your interest to help me I will give you the account number and the contact of the bank where my late beloved father deposited the money with my name as the next of kin.
It is my intention to compensate you with 20% of the total money for your assistance and the balance shall be my investment in any profitable venture which you will recommend to me as have no any idea about foreign investment.
Please all communications should be through this email address only for confidential purposes.
Thanking you a lot in anticipation of your quick response.
I will send you details in my next email for you to know me well.
I am waiting for your reply,
Best regards,
Sana Mohamed
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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When it comes to publicity, the publican of the Rosewood Hotel west of Ipswich, David Pahlke - who masquerades as the local councillor - has risen to the top of his profession.
In a grand stunt, he has called professional ghost busters into the pub who - surprise, surprise - came up with nothing but a few cold draughts blowing through the creaky windows and the usual dose of rising damp!
Things must be tough for Big Dave - who was the former postmaster at Rosewood before entering politics as a Moreton Shire Councillor - when he has to hire ghost busters from Brisbane to encourage a few more souls into the public bar.
David Pahlke is now a full-time Ipswich City Councillor on over a 100 grand a year while running the pub as a full-time job as well.
Locals are beginning to ask what is his main service to the people of Rosewood - being the local councillor, operating the local booze business or being the town's official ghost hunter?
They remember Dave's last failed attempt at local recognition when he named a park after himself and shot to prominence on national television with his ego stretching from Marburg to Grandchester.
He quickly had Pahlke Park renamed to avoid any further bad publicity on A Current Affair.
His greatest effort, however, was the Ipswich City Council Budget a couple of years ago when he turned up in a bright yellow suit with a Mafia-style violin case with you-know-what inside!
Mayor Paul Pisasale ordered him from the Council Chambers before the meeting. Since then, Pahlke has been known as The West Moreton Enforcer.
What sort of brain implosion occurred that day in Rosewood?
Imagine trying to sell a difficult budget to the people of Ipswich, with one of the Councillors dressed like the Mafia ready to extort money from the people.
Paranormal or paranoia - you be the judge of Rosewood's own Municipal Publican Spook.
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US studies show that just 2 cigarettes smoked in a closed vehicle will cause toxin levels to exceed 70 times the normal safe level.
Pity the poor kids - including babies - forced to inhale these dangerous fumes from their uncaring parents puffing away to their hearts' content.
Tony Abbott should be ashamed of himself for his stance on this issue which is utterly disgraceful and which embarrassingly contributes to an unhealthy Australia.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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5 hours later at the Caltex Woolworths servo in Warwick, it was $1.08/litre and has been for the past 5 weeks.
Typical price gouging which will get worse from today!
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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The following letter appears in today's Queensland Times in Ipswich:
"WHY can I not get six drumsticks when I order them from KFC? Is there an unwritten law I don't know about?
ANON"
Yes, KFC. Why?
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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There are now 43 Councils around Australia which have banned animal circuses.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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The State Government has warned the ACCC to be on red alert across the state to stop motorists from being caught in a gigantic ripoff by oil companies.
Queensland Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully said the eyes and ears of Queensland would be on full alert on Wednesday.
"Oil companies have been sucking the motoring public dry for years and it's time they were held accountable for their legalised extortion," Paul Tully said.
Queensland Consumer Watch
Coordinator
Paul Tully LLB JP(Qual)
PO Box 1
18 Queen St
Goodna QLD 4300
Tel: 07 3818 6900
Fax: 07 3818 1099
Email: QueenslandConsumerWatch@gmail.com
Web: www.QueenslandConsumerWatch.com
"Queensland Consumer Watch - Advocating for consumers across Queensland."
This is a full copy of a Media Release issued by the State Government:
Joint Statement:
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
The Honourable Peter Lawlor
28/06/2009
Premier puts ACCC on red alert over fuel subsidy
Premier Anna Bligh has warned the ACCC to be on red alert and said a Queensland team of investigators have been monitoring petrol prices in the run up to the cessation of the fuel subsidy on Wednesday.
The fuel subsidy will cease from midnight 30 June and the price of fuel can be expected to rise on Wednesday 1 July.
Ms Bligh said she had spoken personally to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Graeme Samuel this week.
"I have concerns that the oil companies will seek to profiteer in the wake of the scheme's cessation and have asked Mr Samuel to put his staff on red alert," said the Premier.
Ms Bligh said State Government investigators have been monitoring petrol prices across the state in the lead up to the post-subsidy period.
"We will continue to do that in the coming months as intelligence is gathered from industry and other bodies on any abnormal price rises," she warned.
"I will be making arrangements for this data to be given directly to the ACCC to use in any prosecutions they may launch where inappropriate pricing or illegal activity is identified.
"We will do everything in our power to make sure that the ACCC has the information they need to prevent these companies taking advantage of Queensland families in already difficult economic times.
"The Pincus report into the fuel subsidy last year said that well over $100 million out of the subsidy every year was not going to the benefit of the Queensland consumers," she said.
"What the report showed was that, on average, consumers were only getting 6 cents benefit from the subsidy - any rise above that and companies have got some explaining to do.
"That means the oil companies were effectively pick pocketing money from Queenslanders using the fuel subsidy as their shield.
"I am determined that we are not going to let the big oil companies mug the consumer in broad daylight now that the shield is gone.
"Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor also said fuel companies and service stations should be warned that profiteering removal of the fuel subsidy on 1 July will not be tolerated.
"I'm taking this opportunity to place service station operators on notice that they should not try and use the abolition of the fuel subsidy to jack up prices," Mr Lawlor said.
"Unfortunately the rise will occur about the same time within the normal weekly price cycle that service station operators tend to raise the price of fuel anyway.
"However, I am warning operators that I will not hesitate to name and shame any operator who takes advantage of the abolition to try and make further profit, particularly in these tough economic times.
"I urge consumers to shop around for the best prices, take advantage of the weekly price cycle where it operates, and buy fuel early in the week when prices tend to be lowest.
"Mr Lawlor said he urged any consumer who believed service stations operators were inappropriately increasing the price of fuel to lodge a complaint with the Office of Fair Trading.
"While I appreciate there are a large number of factors which can influence the price of fuel, including the price of crude oil and exchange rates, service station operators need to be fair in their dealings with the public," he said.
If consumers believe fuel operators are ripping them off they can lodge a complaint by calling the Office of Fair Trading hotline number (07) 3115 1783 or by logging on to www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Queensland Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully described the initiative as a tremendous advance for consumers.
"This will go a long way to weeding out shonky, unregistered agents who continue to fleece the community across the state."
This is a full copy of the Ministerial Media Release issued by the Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading Peter Lawlor:
Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
The Honourable Peter Lawlor
28/06/2009
Online licence search launched
In the past year more than 40 people in Queensland have been disciplined or prosecuted by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for failing to be properly licensed.
OFT investigators have taken action against eight security providers, 20 real estate agents and 14 motor dealers who have been operating in Queensland without the relevant licence.
Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said dealing with unlicensed operators such as motor dealers, security providers and real estate agents placed consumers and businesses at risk.
"Licensing ensures operators meet minimum standards of competency for those industries regulated by OFT," he said.
"There are several occupations regulated by OFT and by law they are required to be licensed before they can work in Queensland," Mr Lawlor said.
Occupations regulated by OFT include real estate, motor dealing, auctioneers, second-hand dealers, pawnbrokers as well as security providers, travel agents and debt collectors.
"These licences are a safeguard for consumers and businesses and ensure that those people working in the industries are reputable and operate with a high level of professionalism," he said.
Consumers and businesses will soon be able to search an online register to check if the people or firms they are dealing with are licensed, which is important for consumer confidence.
"From 1 July an online search facility of licence holders will be available on the OFT website," Mr Lawlor said.
"The register will be a free online service and will list all licence holders under the:
• Introduction Agents Act 2001
• Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000
• Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act 2003
• Security Providers Act 1993
• Tourism Services Act 2003
• Travel Agents Act 1988
Consumers and businesses will be able to search for a licence holder's name or their licence number to check if they hold the appropriate licence.
The online search facility will be available at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Cabcharge faces penalties of $10 million per contravention plus a pecuniary penalty of 10% of its annual turnover for each contravention.
Cabcharge's revenue for the last financial year was $173 million.
That's a total potential penalty of $273 million.
A spokeswoman for Cabcharge Tracey Cain said: "Cabcharge always behaves appropriately".
Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully says: "We'll see".
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Voluntary codes are never as strong as enforceable laws but is a major step in the right direction for McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack's, Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat signing up for the new deal.
Domino's, Eagle Boys and Nando's have failed the next generation of Australians.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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This is another pro-active move by the State Government to help Queensland consumers.
This is the text of the Minister's Media Release:
Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
The Honourable Peter Lawlor
24/06/2009
7-Eleven store fined for false price scans
The operator of a 7-Eleven convenience store at Redbank Plains has been fined $4000 in the Ipswich Magistrates Court for overcharging on products.
Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said the store, managed by Shree Salasar Balaji Pty Ltd, was charging more for products than their listed shelf price.
"Fair Trading officers conducted a random spot-check on the store in 2008 and discovered a number of products being overcharged," Mr Lawlor said.
"A follow-up visit later last year revealed that despite the original problems being rectified, further products were being overcharged relative to their shelf price.
"The substantial punishment underlines to retailers the importance of ensuring their scanning systems are accurate.
"Consumers need to feel comfortable when making purchasing decisions that they are being treated fairly."
Mr Lawlor encouraged consumers to watch carefully when their items were scanned at the checkout and question any prices that appeared to be incorrect.
"Keep your eyes on the scanner, check your dockets and if you think there's a problem, talk to the attendant or manager," he said.
"If the store operates under the voluntary Code of Practice for Computerised Systems in Supermarkets, you may even be entitled to receive an incorrectly scanned product for free."
Mr Lawlor said the prosecution comes as the Office of Fair Trading hosted a recent forum on price scanning with 25 retail industry representatives.
"The forum provided an opportunity to discuss price scanning issues and identify solutions to any problems retailers are experiencing," he said.
"Fair Trading is committed to working with retailers on these issues however it will pursue enforcement action when consumers are misled.
"Maximum penalties for breaching the Queensland Fair Trading Act 1989 range from $54,000 for an individual to $270,000 for corporations.
Mr Lawlor urged consumers who were unable to resolve a problem with a store to contact the Office of Fair Trading on 13 13 04 or visit its website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au for more information.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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Congratulations. Well done Ian.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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