QUEENSLAND FUEL PRICES: Channel 9 reports live on the pending petrol price hike. This is a major ripoff about to happen.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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MOBIL CREEK ROAD MT GRAVATT: 114.9 cents per litre this afternoon. What price in a week's time as motorists face major price gouging in Queensland?

MEDIA RELEASE: Queensland on Red Alert over possible petrol price profiteering

The abolition of the Queensland fuel subsidy at midnight on 30 June may lead to unlawful profiteering.

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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Online search of real estate agents and other key professions launched in Queensland

The Queensland Government is launching a major initiative on 1 July with an online search facility of registered real estate agents, pawnbrokers, debt collectors, travel agents and other key service providers.

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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Domino's Pizza at Goodna breaching workplace health and safety and forcing workers to break the law by dressing in gorilla suits


Domino's Pizza at Goodna is showing an appalling lack of commonsense by breaching basic workplace health and safety rules in forcing staff to break the law by standing in gorilla suits near a busy roundabout to advertise the store's pizza products.

How many of the staff have been told that it is an offence to stand on a footpath (which is legally defined as part of a road) waving a business placard and that the staff members are personally liable to a fine of $2000 for each offence.

That's about 6 months' pay for some of the junior workers.

This has been illegal in Queensland since 1967.  The relevant provisions of the Queensland Traffic Regulation are set out below.

Has Domino's offered to pay any fines which might be imposed on staff by the police.

Whoever is managing the Goodna Store needs an immediate refresher course in what is illegal for staff to be asked to do.

For months, staff have been illegally standing on the footpath at the corner of Queen and Church Streets Goodna, 24km west of Brisbane, waving placards and distracting drivers at this very, very busy roundabout.

Today, they went totally over the top with one clown on the corner of Mill and Church Streets and another in a gorilla outfit on the footpath outside Red Rooster, running up and down with placards, both performing gymnastics and distracting drivers trying to negotiate this difficult 6-way roundabout.

How can Domino's justify placing young lives at risk by making them stand right next to a busy carriageway frantically waving signs for cheap pizzas, distracting drivers and potentially causing serious accidents.

This illegal practice must stop.

The Police need to crack down on this sort of unlawful stupidity.

The Police should take immediate action under section 7 of the Criminal Code against the store manager and Domino's itself if necessary for aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence which renders such person liable to the same penalty ($2000) as if he or she had personally committed the offence.

Domino's will plead "harmless fun" but when you are breaking the law, endangering staff and endangering motorists, that's not fun - that just bloody hopeless.

Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully said: "This dangerous and idiotic practice is outlawed in Queensland and police should act decisively before a tragedy occurs".

Traffic Regulation 1962

126 Advertising, placards, handbills etc.

 (1) A person shall not—

 (a) upon any road for the purpose of business advertising—

 (i) carry any advertisement, placard, board, notice or sign;

unless the person is the holder of a permit issued by the chief executive or commissioner authorising the person so to do and unless the person complies in every respect with the terms and conditions of such permit.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.



PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Federal Court action launched against Cabcharge by ACCC

Cabcharge - Australia's non-cash payment monopoly for taxis and hire cars - is facing long overdue action by the ACCC in the Federal Court.
The ACCC has launched the action alleging 10 breaches of the Trade Practices Act.

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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WARNING: eBay ripoff by 14 year old girl exposed in Ipswich District Court

A sophisticated $44,000 eBay scam by a 14 year old teenager from Crescent Head in New South Wales had its sequel in the Ipswich District Court when the girl, now 16, was found guilty and placed on probation for two years.

The Brisbane Courier-Mail gives a full account of the case at http://tinyurl.com/ebayripoff

eBay spokesman on the case Daniel Feiler provides no real satisfaction for consumers that there interests will be protected by the online superstore.

What is really disturbing is the claim by one victim that eBay unlawfully gave the fraudster the mobile number of the victim who then received up to 21 calls a day from the fraudster.

Consumer Watch spokesman Paul Tully said it's time for eBay to ramp up its initial identification and consumer protection policies.

"eBay is a giant money-making machine for some unscrupulous operators and eBay should be doing everything it can to eliminate this online fraud."


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Domino's, Eagle Boys and Nando's fail our children

Domino's, Eagle Boys Pizza and chicken chain Nando's have failed to sign up to the new voluntary code of advertising which bans junk food ads aimed at children.

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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7-Eleven Store at Redbank Plains fined for consumer ripoff

The Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor has commented on the $4000 fine in the Ipswich Magistrates Court against the 7-Eleven Store at Redbank Plains.

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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Ian Craig - doyen of Australian horse racing - calls his last race

Ian Craig - race caller and entertainer for over 40 years - signed off for the last time today at Gosford.

Congratulations. Well done Ian.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Go the Mighty Maroons tonight!

A special mention of Israel Folau playing his 5th State of Origin. Israel is the 2nd Rugby League International to come out of Goodna. Noel Kelly was the first 50 years ago.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Is this the filthiest Hungry Jack's Store in Australia?

PICS: The disgraceful Hungry Jack's Store at Granard Road in Brisbane where the welcome mat is a pile of filth

The Hungry Jacks Store on Granard Road at Archerfield in Brisbane's west is nothing but a disgrace to the company.

There is nothing worse than going into any fast food store to be greeted by an array of slops left by other customers which have not been cleaned up.

Tonight, six of the seven tables were an absolute pigsty with half-eaten food and filth littering the tables and the floor.

There were hardly any customers in the store after 6.50pm with the six staff having a pretty easy time for the ensuing half hour.

It was not until 7.22pm that one of the six staff decided it was time to clean up Archerfield's answer to Brisbane's municipal tip.

Whoever is managing this outfit needs an urgent refresher course in Basic Store Management 101.

It's not good enough for members of the public to have to put up with this dirty offering by Hungry Jack's.

There's no use complaining to Hungry Jack's - because if they cared about the presentation of their stores, tonight's sickening display would never have been allowed to occur.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Is this new MP for Beaudesert fair dinkum?

PIC: Aidon Mclindon LNP Member for Beaudesert

Having served as a Logan City Councillor for 4 years, Aidon Mclindon is now a fresh-faced state MP and is calling for the abolition of local government.

He has been disowned by his own leader today over this crazy plan.

New Zealand has 2 levels of government. The UK has 2 levels of government.

Guess what Aidon? There is no state government in those 2 countries - a model which many Queenslanders support.

You cannot abolish local government without abolishing true grass roots representation.

You're backing the wrong horse young fella!


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Pam Parker - Queen of Logan or just Councillor Pam - doing a good job in Logan

It's unbelievable how some people turn a bit of light-hearted frivolity into a serious political debate.

Mayor of Logan Cr Pam Parker would be one of the hardest-working mayors in the state, so the comments in this column about the quaint English traditions surrounding "Her Worship" are nothing but friendly, tongue-in-cheek banter across local government boundaries.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale always says you must have fun in politics. A bit of light-hearted revelry never goes astray even in politics.

Whether its Her Worship, Princess Pam, Councillor Pam or just Pam, she is doing a good job running the state's 5th largest city.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Police pounce on laser lunatic in north Queensland - now wait for the beak to slap him over the wrist!

Police have laid charges for the first time in Queensland over the use of a laser device used to endanger a helicopter at Mareeba.

This was indeed a very quick and effective police investigation.

The police have done their job, now we can expect the alleged offender to be dealt with by a feather duster when he appears in court on 13 July.

We can expect the usual legal mumbo-jumbo, that the offender has had a deprived upbringing and a sad life which caused his overnight brain implosion.

Nothing but a substantial jail sentence is the right penalty for this brain-dead halfwit who easily caused a loss of life.


The following media release has been issued by the
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services:


Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services

The Honourable Neil Roberts

21/06/2009

CHARGES LAID AFTER LASER 'HITS' HELICOPTER IN MAREEBA

A 17-year-old man has become the first person in Queensland to be charged under laws aimed at curbing the dangerous practice of pointing laser lights at aircraft, Police Minister Neil Roberts and Commissioner Bob Atkinson announced today.

Mr Roberts said the man was charged after he allegedly pointed a high intensity laser beam at an emergency services rescue helicopter early this morning.

"The man was charged with 'endangering the safe use of a vehicle by directing a beam of light from a laser'," Mr Roberts said.

"He is the first person in Queensland to be charged under legislation introduced by the Bligh Government last year - and updated in May this year - in a bid to curb this dangerous practice and prosecute those responsible.

"This type of behaviour has the potential to lead to tragedy and is completely unacceptable.

"Around 1.35am the Emergency Management Queensland chopper was attempting to land at the Mareeba Hospital helipad when a concentrated beam of green laser light allegedly 'hit' the aircraft four times.

The pilot landed the helicopter safely and immediately reported the incident and approximate location of the beam to police.

Police were dispatched to the area and commenced a comprehensive search during which time two men, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, were located in Byrnes Street, Mareeba.

One of the men was allegedly located in possession of a hand held high intensity laser beam.

Commissioner Atkinson said the quick thinking of the pilot and the control tower in relaying the information to police had greatly assisted in apprehending the man.

"Due to their quick thinking police were able to concentrate their search efforts and achieve a positive outcome. Incidents of this type are extremely dangerous and the potential for tragedy is great".

"These devices are not toys and these instances are not harmless pranks. Police are committed to locating and prosecuting those who want to place at risk the lives of air crews and their passengers," he said.

The man was issued with a Notice to Appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on July 13.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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The Australian Rusty Ute Affair - a load of unmitigated claptrap!

The Rusty Ute Affair would have to be the biggest beat up by an Opposition since Federation.

John Grant - founder of the so-called 51 Club because he was born in 1951 - has been embroiled in one of the nastiest charades and personal attacks ever launched in Federal Parliament.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale sums up the 51 Club as just a loose group of bipartisan mates born in 1951 - or thereabouts who share a common birth year.

Yet, Malcolm Turnbull suggests they are a group of shady, untrustworthy, political operatives.

John Grant is a thoroughly decent and honourable corporate citizen of Ipswich.

His word is his bond and his trademark is his unwavering honesty and his ethical behaviour.

Malcolm Turnbull - egged on by Liberal pugilist clowns from Sydney's North Shore - has descended into the bottom of a cesspit to scrape up dirt on John Grant as part of his unproven attack on the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan.
Politics at its worst is the only way to describe this dark side of the Federal Opposition.

Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and John Grant will triumph out of this debacle and Malcolm Turnbull will be left lamenting with no chance of ever recovering politically.

Malcolm should have stuck with the Australian Republican Movement where his quaint combination of individual capitalism and socialist principles left true republicans perpetually gobsmacked!


P.S. Cr Paul Tully turns 58 tomorrow. Will he get a free Rusty Ute as a birthday present for his honorary membership of the 51 Club in Ipswich?


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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CONSUMER WARNING: Another Hong Kong email scam threatens Aussie internet users

Another internet email scam has hit Australia with the promise of untold riches.

Please warn everyone you know of this scam, especially people who are new to the internet and unfamiliar with email scams who may be tempted by this fraudulent offer of $AU18.6 million.

It really is time for the Australian Government to use its legislative powers to force ISPs to block this sort of online fraud which ends up stripping the bank accounts of unsuspecting internet users.

If the Government can stop illegal internet pornography, it can stop this sort of fraudulent activity which financially destroys untold numbers of individual Australians and their families.

This is a copy of the latest phoney email scam:

From: chaowei barryk.cj@bellnet.ca

Subject: HELLO

I am MR CHAOWEI,bank of china {hongkong},I have a business proposal of (us$18,600.000.00) for you in my bank.

for more information email
chao.wei1@btinternet.com


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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CONSUMER WATCH: New email scam warning.

A new internet email scam has hit Australia overnight with a bogus cash prize of more than £1.86 million.

It's time for the Australian Government to use its legislative powers to force ISPs to block this sort of online fraud which ends up stripping the bank accounts of unsuspecting internet users.

If the Government can stop illegal internet pornography, it can stop this sort of fraudulent activity which financially destroys untold numbers of individual Australians and their families.

This is a copy of the latest phoney email scam:

From: Su.Fahy@wlv.ac.uk

Subject: Cash on file: £1,856,652

Dear Email owner,

Your email address on SERIAL No:472-9768-79 has won a total cash prize of £1,856,652 Great British Pounds in our New Email random selection.

Please contact the claims officer for more information,

Also provide listed information,
Names___________
Address___________
Age___________
Occupation________
Phone no____________
Country__________

Claims Officer: Mr. Michael Brown

Email:uknl_claimsunit@administrativos

comphone: +44 703 190 5559

Mr fahy Su

THE PROMOTION COORDINATOR


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Her Worship the Mayor of Logan

Knighthoods have disappeared from Australia but Logan City Council still persists with its quaint English traditions.

The Logan Council Chamber is headed with a sign declaring:

HER WORSHIP THE MAYOR

CR PAM PARKER


Surely in this modern day and age, it's time for Logan City to dump its colonial accoutrements rather than sticking with the protocols of the First Fleet.

Logan's "Maggie Thatcher" should realise this is 2009 not 1788.

What sort of worship does she expect? Fulsome kow-towing and affectionate curtsies usually reserved for the Queen of England?

Wouldn't a "How ya goin Pam" be just as good for the supposed workers' friend rather than all this pomp and ceremony and fancy titles which has only a short history in the 30-year old City of Logan?


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Sophisticated internet scam hits CUA

This would have to be the most-sophisticated internet scam to hit Australia in the past 24 hours.

Tens of thousands of emails have been sent from the authentic-looking email address of cust_serv@cua.com.au

The email reads:


Dear Credit Union Australia member, 

We are sorry to inform you that your account is temporarily suspended due to unusual activity that was noticed in the last few days in your account,you must take action at once, and verify some of your information you have on file with us.

Click here to verify your information.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter!

© 2009 Credit Union Australia


If unsuspecting internet users click on the bogus link, it takes them to what looks exactly like the CUA logon page which enables the perpetrators to access people's accounts, once they get the logon details and password willingly provided by CUA members who don't realise they are being scammed.

Within minutes, they could strip all of the funds out of an account.

Kevin Rudd should exercise his powers under Commonwealth law to shut down websites and ISPs which allow this sort of fraudulent activity to be stopped in its tracks.

If the Federal government can stop internet pornography, it can stop this sort of fraud which hurts hundreds of struggling Australian families every week.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Tourism Minister calls LNP bastards and livens up Queensland politics

In a return to the days of hard-headed Queensland politics, the State Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor has hit the LNP Opposition for six with tried a tried and true attack on the legitimacy of their parentage.

His full media release is reproduced below.

Just when state politics was becoming boring with the LNP intelligentsia of rural Queensland performing like circus animals, the colourful MP for Southport Peter Lawlor has livened things up with a few home truths.

As a Gold Coast alderman in a past life, Peter Lawlor was never backward in calling a spade a shovel while bucketing his opponents in his own inimitable style.

Most Tourism Ministers are simply nice meet-and-greet, tea and bickie types.

So, it's good to see Peter Lawlor has brought back the biff into the boring winter politics of Queensland.

.................................................................

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

The Honourable Peter Lawlor

17/06/2009

Mermaid Ray and LNP get it wrong on tourism commitment

LNP tourism spokesperson Ray Stevens has embarrassed himself and his party by claiming the Bligh Government's $12million tourism injection was actually an 11.27% funding cut.

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said Mr Stevens comments were those of a lazy opposition.

"Had Mr Stevens read more than one page of the budget he would have seen tourism had not lost any funding but rather received a $12million funding boost.

"In the toughest economic times ever faced we are making the tough decisions to keep our tourism industry moving.

"While other states are cutting their tourism commitment we are building a path to recovery from the global financial crisis.

"We have also removed from TQ the administrative burden of Regional Tourism Organisation and convention bureau grant funding.

"This is now the responsibility of the department and therefore this money will not show up in Tourism Queensland's budget.

"TQ should be allowed to do what it does best and that's using the extra $12million to deliver innovative industry campaigns like the highly successful 'Best Job in the World'."

Minister Lawlor said the Bligh Government was responsible for delivering Queensland's major tourism infrastructure including convention centres, cruise ship terminals, stadiums and great walks.

"We have committed to an extra $36million over the next three years to market our great state.

"The closest the LNP has come to a tourism policy is commenting on ours.

"At the recent state election the only tourism commitment the LNP made was to cut the Queensland Investment and Incentives Scheme (QIIS) to fund their election promises.

"The QIIS program is used to attract airlines and ground services to Queensland - that's how well thought out their plans were.

"They promised not one extra dollar for tourism.

"Also, when pushed to back important future tourism infrastructure like the Gold Coast AFL Stadium the LNP refused.

"For the LNP it's simply a matter of 'bastardry one day, policy-free the next'."

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Woolworths' double price ripoff - the battlers of Australia lose again

PICS: Woolworths multiple price ripoff in full swing.


Just when Woolworths is coming out of the economic doldrums, it has staged a gigantic ripoff of battlers across Australia by refining an American-style marketing blitz designed to gouge more dollars than ever out of struggling families.

Have a close look at the above pictures.

They all appear in one of Woolworths Ipswich stores, 40km west of Brisbane.

The first Multibuys picture is for 3 packs of ice creams for $15 which is an even $5 a packet. But if you buy a single packet - which is the most many families can afford in a week - you are slugged $5.99 or 19.8% more, for the privilege.

But it doesn't stop there. The sign proudly proclaims a saving of $2.97 for the 3-pack buy. Nothing about the 99c ripoff for a single pack buy!

Look at the pizza ripoff in the next picture. Two pizzas for $10 which should mean $5 each. Don't be so quick with your sums because Woolies will force you to pay $6.79 for a single pizza.

This is a whopping ripoff of 35.8% above the true single price of $5 dollars. But according to Woolworths, you save $3.58 for buying two of these fat-laden offerings.

The deception continues with their Nestle Ice Cream pack which costs $12 for two.

No, it's not $6 for one but a massive $7.49 or 24.8% above the correct half price.

None of this is a genuine discount for volume buying. It is just a price slug for battlers who can often afford only one item or who only want one item.

It is a reprehensible marketing ploy by Woolworths who are not helping battlers in these tough economic times but ripping them off, hand over fist.

Consumer Watch recommends consumers vote with their feet and their hip pocket.

Send Woolworths a message: Don't buy 2, don't buy 1, don't buy any!


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Mars loses Federal Court case over chocolate balls

Fresh from its insult of Australian consumers by dropping the size of its famous Mars bar and other similar offerings with no corresponding price reduction, Mars has suffered a major rebuff in the Federal Court of Australia.

The confectionery giant tried to stop its competitor Sweet Rewards from selling Malt Balls which Mars claimed was deceptively similar to Malteesers.

Justice Nye Perram booted Mars out of centre court declaring that Australian chocolate consumers would never mistake a Malt Ball for a Malteeser.

Mars lost the case and was also ordered to pay Sweet Rewards considerable legal costs.

Mars has become too big for its own boots in the Australian confectionery industry and Justice Perram's decision is both a sensible and salutary decision to this rip-off chocolate bar merchant.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Rudd's planned job offer to Peter Costello

It's good to see Kevin Rudd following in the sensible US tradition of offering jobs to retiring politicians irrespective of which side of politics they are on.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Will we still be happy little Vegemites?

The new cheesy spreadable Vegemite announced yesterday will be for sooks and wusses.

In order to attract more sales, the company has launched a softer version of Australia's most-delectable (for some, detestable) spread.

Coming home to Australia on a Qantas Jet, there is nothing more delightful than savouring some Vegemite at 30,000 feet watched on by gob-smacked Yanks.

But give me the original, rancid, true Aussie, "knock ya dead" Vegemite version any day.

Anything less is just for sooks and wusses.

All he-men will stick to the original.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Warning on door to door hawkers and peddlers in Goodna.

PIC: Have you seen this man?

This door to door seller is upsetting Goodna residents trying to get them to switch electricity suppliers.

Local resident Jiver W Freecloud has reported that this man demanded to see the back of Jiver's electricity account to enable him to claim lost rebates.

Why can't these people just tell the truth - that they are trying to churn them to another electricity company.

They have no legal right to demand to see homeowners' bills or accounts.

I am warning this shyster to get out of Ipswich or you'll end up going down the same lonely, legal track which Love Springs recently did after trying to hoodwink the people of Goodna.

As jiver suggests, is this another Electrick-city Company on the prowl in southeast Queensland?


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Queensland Legal Practice Tribunal acts decisively over Schapelle Corby's lawyer

The Queensland Legal Practice Tribunal has struck off Schapelle Corby's lawyer Robin Tampoe for breaching his client's confidence.

He was quite rightly given the Royal Order of the Boot for his professional misconduct in revealing confidential information arising from his dealings with Ms Corby.

Hopefully Robin Tampoe will never be let loose on the public again.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Disgraceful: Telstra pays its new CEO $177,000 a week - and we are supposed to be grateful!

The new CEO of Telstra David Thodey takes over the helm of the communications giant with a whopping annual salary of $9.2 million or $177,000 a week.

This is truly obscene.

Yet, Telstra claims they are doing us a favour because his predecessor Sol Trujillo got a package of $13 million a year.

How anyone could be worth $177,000 a week defies anyone's logic in these tough economic times.

But Telstra has never been logical or frugal when it comes to dealing with our money.

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CR PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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B & W Cabs do nothing again over another customer ripoff

B & W Cabs in Brisbane has the well-justified reputation of doing nothing to investigate legitimate complaints made by members of the travelling public.

This company's PR skills would rank lower than those of con man Peter Foster.

The company simply does not care. In all of my experience, it NEVER returns calls to members of the public who have lodged complaints with the company.

The Queensland Government must take action against this rogue company.

This is David Jackmanson's story from last night, showing why B & W Cabs should face de-registration because of its total failure to help legitimately disgruntled customers:


Getting ripped off by Black and White cab driver, car 830 #twitter

June 06, 2009


Here's an email I sent to Black and White cabs about being ripped off by the driver of their cab 830:

Dear Madam, or Sir,

I have a complaint to make about the driver of cab 830 and your shift manager.

On Saturday June 6 2009 I hailed a taxi on Abbotsford Rd, Bowen Hills at about 2020 hours.

I told the driver that I had to go to Jordan Terrace in Bowen Hills.

I said that it came off Ann St but within 30 seconds had explained that I meant that it was near a service station on Breakfast Creek Road.

The driver assured me that he knew where it was, as it was his job to know the area.

The driver ended up driving me to Breakfast Creek Road in Hamilton, and did not turn back until I told him he was going the wrong way, near the BP service station on Breakfast Creek Rd at Hamilton.

When I told him the right way to go he turned around and went to the Shell/Coles Express service station on Breakfast Creek Rd in Bowen Hills.

The driver then added about $2 to the fare for no reason.

I hailed the cab on the street, and did not book it via phone.

The total fare came to about $14.30, plus the 10% surcharge for paying by credit card.

The driver did not offer to reduce the fare on the meter even though the mistake was his fault, nor did he offer me a credit card receipt.

I rang up your call centre and explained what had happened to the shift manager.

He said he would get in touch with the driver and call me back.

After 15 minutes I had not yet received a reply.

I called back and the shift manager said he had not been able to contact the driver.

I insisted on talking to someone who could resolve the issue and he claimed there was no one who could deal with it until Tuesday morning.

This is appaling. I have been defrauded by your driver and I expect such a complaint to be dealt with immediately.

I expect a phone call as soon as this email is read, and I expect that phone call to advise me that the entire credit card charge has been reversed and the driver has been dismissed.

Rest assured that if this phone call does not reach me by Tuesday I will spend the time in between now and then publicising this issue in any way I can.

My telephone number is 0430 392 655.

Yours Sincerely
David Jackmanson

Correction: it was the BP at Kingsford Smith Drive, not Breakfast Creek Road. I never mentioned Kingsford Smith Drive at all.

3 maps:

Route the driver took:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2891728

Route he should have taken if he honestly thought he needed to go to Kingsford Smith Drive

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2891733

Route he should have taken:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2891737

He turned a 750 metre trip into a trip that was more than 4 km.

- - - - -
David's original posted complaint is at: http://djackmanson.posterous.com/getting-ripped-off-by-black-and-white-cab-dri

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Have you been ripped off by a cab company or treated with poor customer service, email: paul@tully.org.au

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Internet scams just keep on coming! When will the Federal Government stop this blight on the people of Australia?

The scams just keep on coming.

The latest is an email purporting to be from the Commonwealth Bank, seeking personal details via a bogus website link.

Once these are given, the individual's account is stripped of all its money within hours.

Ask your Federal Member today for immediate action by the Rudd Government to stop these bogus emails which are destroying many people financially.

If they can stop pornography, they can stop this!

This is the latest overnight scam:

From: CommonwealthBank

Subject: CommonwealthBank Notification

Dear Valued Customer,

This email is your official notification from Commonwealth Bank.

Your online NetBank has expired on 01-06-2009 ,if you want to continue using our service you have to renew your acount if not your account will be deactivated and deleted

To continue please click the link below:

http://ssl-netbankcommau.com

Many Thanks and Kind Regards - Commonwealth Bank Customer Department

© Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2009 ABN 48 123 123 124


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CR PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Another internet scam hits Australia. It's time for the Federal Government to act.

The international internet email scams continue to hit unsuspecting computer users in Australia.

Another one hit today offering one million British pounds in exchange for personal information.

Of course, the next step is to secure the target's bank details and strip their account or demand a hefty fee to finalise payment of the million pounds.

The scammers then disappear as fast as a beaten politician.

These scams are hitting Australia almost every day.

The Federal Government must act immediately to ensure all Australian ISPs and all internet connections into Australia are required to filter these bogus emails and boot them into cyber space oblivion.

How many more families must be hurt financially before the Federal Government acts?

Mr Rudd - please act now before more Australians are hurt.

This is a copy of today's email internet scam:

From: veeti.paaponen@kotinet.com

Subject: Dear Lucky Winner

We are pleased to inform you that you have been Awarded the sum of 1,000,000.00 GBP in the Tobacco 2009 Program.

Please fill the contact form given below.

Contact email: pauladams2009@btinternet.com

Names:............
Address:..............
Country:.................
Age:..........
Sex:..............
Phone/cellphone........


Yours faithfully,
Mr.Veeti Paaponen

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CR PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Internet scams hitting Australia are getting worse - Be alert and alarmed!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Internet scams involving fake emails with offers of millions of dollars to unsuspecting recipients are now hitting Australia in an unprecedented blitz.

The latest comes overnight with a tear-jerking plea from a so-called cancer-ridden Mrs Dorothy Woodhall of London whose fabulously rich husband supposedly died in a plane crash in Salvador a year ago.

From her husband's diamond riches, Mrs Woodhall is now so generous she wants to give away £7.5 million GBP to anyone who applies.

Fair dinkum, you would wonder how these scammers keep going but unfortunately there are enough gullible and naïve citizens around the world to keep these scams alive.

The Australian Government has laws which it can invoke to stop these emails entering Australia. They can serve notices on ISP's which would eliminate almost all of this heinous activity at the stroke of a pen.

These bogus emails with offers of fabulous riches are hurting too many Australian families who cannot afford the money they fork out in these difficult economic times in the vain hope of securing a large pot of gold for their families.

This needs to be stopped.

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd can stop it today.

Here is a copy of the scam email from Mrs Dorothy Woodhall supposely of 52 Oxford Street London which hit Australia overnight:

From: dorothywoodhall317@msn.com

Subject: DEAR BELOVE BRETHREN

From: Mrs. Dorothy Woodhall,52 Oxford Street,London, SW1Z1BV UK.

Dear Friend,

Here writes Mrs. Dorothy Woodhall suffering from cancerous ailment.

I am married to Mr. Sean Woodhall, an Englishman who died in plane crash, he died in a plane crash when he was going for his business proposal in Ilhéus flew through Salvador on Friday 2nd of May 2008.

Please copy and paste this Internet link for more information on the incident:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/05/britons.missing.after.brazil.plane.crash

My late dear husband was into Diamond Business Practice all his life before his death.

Our life together as a man and wife lasted for three decades without child.

My husband and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-privileged individuals as he had passion for persons who can not help themselves due to physical disability or financial predicament.

I can adduce this to the fact that he needed a Child from this relationship, which never came.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of 7.5 Million(Seven Million, Five hundred thousand Great Britain Pounds) Sterling which were derived from his vast diamond business, real  estates and investment in capital market with his bank here in UK.

Presently, this money is still with the Bank.

Before his death, my Doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancerous problems I am suffering from.

Though what bothers me most is the stroke that I have in addition to the cancer. With this hard eality that has befallen my family, and me I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to use this gift which comes from my husbands effort to fund the upkeep of less previlege, and the destitutes.

Please contact me to enable me instruct you on how you are to go about distributing these funds on my behalf.

May God Almighty bless you as well as the nurse (Miss Whitney Merck) who helped me to typed this message.

reply to this email,

dorothy.woodhall008@gmail.com

Hope to hear from you soon.

Warmest Regards,

Mrs. Dorothy Woodhall

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CR PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Consumer warning as another internet scam hits Australia

Beware of the latest scam email targetting Australia with the promise of a £1,000,000,00 - an amount which will never be paid by these scammers.

This is a copy of this latest scam:

From: PREMIER LEAGUE GRANT, BARCLAYS

Attention Dear Beneficiary contact(barclaysgrantdpt01@live.com)

BPL:MLC/A12/09
TICKET:DV/01109

We are delighted to inform you of your grant award release on the 22th May
2009 from the Barclays Premier League Grant programme.
You hereby have been approved a sum of £1,000,000,00.GBP in cash credit
for more info contact Mr Alex Gabriel.at Email:barclaysgrantdpt01@live.com
with Your
TICKET Number.
BPL Number.
Your Name.
Telephone Number..
Country.

Sincerely,
Mrs.Elizabeth Martin.

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CR PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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