REGIONAL QUEENSLANDERS MUST GET LOWER PRICES AT THE BOWSER

Senator Susan McDonald has angrily taken aim at fuel providers who refuse to pass on lower world oil prices to motorists in regional Queensland, calling on people to name and shame offenders.

Based in Townsville, Senator McDonald said the regions often bore heavier fuel costs than larger centres, and welcomed news that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was keeping track of service stations engaging in “blatant gouging”.

“The ACCC says that with world oil prices plummeting to just over $20 a barrel, prices below $1.30 a litre at retail outlets is appropriate,” she said.

“But while fuel in Brisbane and Sydney is about $1.11 to $1.13 a litre, prices at some regional fuel stops are as high as $1.64.

“Regional Queenslanders accept costs of transporting goods from down south must be included in retail prices, but what we’re seeing in a time of drastic reductions in world oil costs is despicable.

“As a Government, we expect fuel outlets to show some leadership and fairness, and we will continue to ensure the ACCC pressures them to do the right thing.

“I encourage motorists to use fuel price tracking websites and apps such as RACQ and NRMA to find the cheapest petrol and to see which retailers are clearly price gouging at a time when all Australians need to pull together in a time of crisis.

“Any business that engages in this type of predatory behaviour during this pandemic should be ashamed.”

FUEL PRICES AS AT 7am, APRIL 2.
Unleaded 91
111.9c per litre (Bowen Hills QLD – 3km from Brisbane CBD)
145.9c per litre (Bourke NSW – 757km from Sydney CBD)
164.9c per litre (Middlemount QLD – 887km from Brisbane CBD)

Diesel
113.9c per litre (Riverwood NSW – 26km from Sydney CBD)
139.9c per litre (Mackay QLD – 631km from Brisbane CBD)
146.9c per litre (Narromine NSW – 433km from Sydney CBD)