Grey nomads are feeling the financial pain at the bowser and it’s fear of war in the Middle East, a political crisis in Venezuela, and a crude oil cartel agreement that’s driving Big Lap costs up.
A report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reveals that these factors – and others – have led to unleaded petrol reaching its highest price in almost four years across Australia’s capital cities.
The Australian newspaper reports that the price of unleaded is almost 12% higher than this time last year at an average $1.45 per litre across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
And, as most grey nomads will be only too aware, the costs rise sharply when you get away from the metropolitan centres. The ACCC says the average difference in country versus city prices is 4.9 cents per litre, although it can be far wider than that.
The ACCC also pointed the finger at a weaker Australian dollar as a contributory factor to price hikes.
“The lower AUD-USD exchange rate in the June quarter 2018 compounded the influence of the increase in international refined petrol prices on Australian retail petrol prices,” the report said.
The consumer watchdog says one of the best ways for motorists to fight back is to shop around for the best fuel prices where practical, and also to use fuel apps.
In Victoria, a parliamentary inquiry into regional fuel prices has just taken place and the Government has thrown its support behind the recommendations made.
About two million RACV members will be asked to input petrol prices into the peak motoring body’s app to give motorists more options.
“Fuel price apps, such as the RACV app, can assist motorists to more easily compare fuel prices and, therefore, are an effective means of improving fuel price transparency,” the government said in response to the inquiry. “More informed decision-making by motorists about where and when to buy fuel, has the potential to stimulate competition between service station operators.”
And…for some strange reason…Brisbane has the highest price fuel of any capital city. The elephant in the room is price gouging by the oil companies which the ACCC seems incapable of comprehending, let alone doing anything about, even when there is clear evidence of cartel behaviour and collusion in the setting of prices.
My opinion anyway…
$1.68 for unleaded at Jericho, forgot to fill up at Longreach! Was happy getting 4c per litre off at Puma Service Stations at Mt Isa and Cloncurry for being an RACQ member.
Just got back from a lap, skiped a few places but 17k @ 16.4 lp 100 avr
So about 4.3+k in fuel WE did use the fuel app saved a ship load but you have to go find them. Puma card only were one of the best Pt Headland $1.69 everywhere back in the industrial area Puma 1.47.
Exmouth the same etc, etc get the app we used Fuel Map.