Report price cheats:shoppers advised

The Federal government has some stern advice for shoppers,who find a business unfairly raising its prices and blaming the carbon tax.

The Assistant Treasurer, David Bradbury says they should be reported.

He says that call should go to the price watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, on its hotline 1300 303 609.

”It’s only through the work of consumers and others referring these matters to the ACCC that the regulator has the opportunity to investigate these issues,” Mr Bradbury told reporters in Sydney.

The ACCC already has the bakery chain, Brumbys, in its sights, after its boss advised franchisees to raise prices, then blame the carbon tax.

Mr Bradbury named and shamed two other businesses, that he accused of similarly, planning rash price rises.

“… Polaris Solar was one company and ACT Renewables was the other,” he said.

“These are companies that are in the business of selling and installing solar panels.

“And they had made claims that electricity prices would go up 20 per cent in the first year and that electricity prices had the potential of going up by 400 per cent over the coming years.”

Mr Bradbury said many businesses, like these, were making the mistake of using reckless claims made by the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, who has said  such things.

”…it’s a reminder that just because someone makes a false and a reckless political allegation doesn’t mean that should be the basis upon which businesses market their products to consumers ,” Mr Bradbury said.

“… they could end up misleading their consumers,” he added.