A new reporting system on regional petrol prices will be the first step in stopping Hunter motorists from being continually ripped off, NRMA president Kyle Loades says.
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced yesterday that it would begin to produce quarterly reports on 180 capital city and regional fuel markets across NSW and at least four in-depth reports each year investigating what drives petrol prices.
Mr Loades said he believed the reports would make a difference for motorists in Maitland.
“We welcome the news,” he said.
“They are going to put the spotlight on 180 regions and towns and that spotlight will be on the difference between regional pricing and pricing in the cities.”
With an average unleaded price in the mid 120c/L across the Hunter
yesterday, Mr Loades said motorists were being ripped off, given that petrol had dropped to less than 99c/L in parts of Sydney.
“Hunter motorists are being dudded at the pump,” he said. “The terminal wholesale price, which is the price petrol station operators are paying, was 103 to 104c/L [on Monday].
“Hunter petrol station operators are choosing to charge more just because they can.
“In the past when the ACCC has become involved it has made a difference.”
Fuel prices have dropped about 40c/L in the past six months in the Sydney market.
Although regional areas like Maitland have seen a slight drop in fuel prices, regional motorists have not experienced the same decrease as people in the metropolitan areas.
“It’s good news that the ACCC is taking these steps and we hope it will result in fairer prices in the bush,” Mr Loades said.
“This is simply ridiculous and it is places like the Hunter, Woolgoolga, Cooma, Gundagai, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth that have paid too much for too long.
“The NRMA looks forward to seeing the ACCC’s first petrol report and ensuing action.”
