The Premier urged Queensland motorists to consider the current fuel market carefully and to keep independent fuel operators in mind when heading to the bowsers.

"Discounted fuel has long been sought and the discounting linked to the major retail food outlets is welcome," said Beattie.

"Across the State there are however many hundreds of Queenslanders employed by independent fuel operators.

"It is those operators in the past who have been the main contributors to fuel price cuts. That sustained effort should now be rewarded.

"I'm told that at the moment the retail price of fuel - when further discounted - is in some cases up to 10 to 12 cents/litre below the profit line for the independents.

"National and international experience has shown that where this happens the overall price of fuel then tends to rise.

"All I ask is that motorists think of these fellow Queenslanders and their families when making their fuel-buying options," he said.

Premier Beattie's comments come a week after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission gave the 'OK' to the for petrol shopper docket schemes that have seen alliances form between the countries largest retail chains and oil companies.

Upon announcing its approval ACCC head Graeme Samuel refuted claims by the Service Station Association that up to 1,500 independent operators would disappear in the next five years because of Coles and Woolworths aggressive move into petrol retailing.

"In its investigations, the ACCC heard claims that the discount schemes would reduce the number of independents operating," said Samuel.

"Some concerns were raised that, with fewer independents, the shopper docket discounts would entrench the dominance of the majors with long term effects on competition and prices.

"The ACCC considers that, in view of other developments affecting competitiveness in petrol and grocery retailing, the shopper docket discounts will be only a marginal determinant of whether independent retailers remain in these sectors. The ACCC also noted the United Kingdom experience where major supermarkets have been involved in petrol retailing for more than ten years and the discounting of petrol prices is still occurring".