NRMA hits out over country fuel prices
Oil companies are holding hard working Australian country families over a barrel by increasing petrol prices in the country by 10 to 20 cents more than motorists pay in the city areas, according to the NRMA.
“It is outrageous that country motorists are currently paying 10 to 20 cents more than people pay in the city,” NRMA Motoring and Services Director Graham Blight said.
“Quite often in rural areas, families do not have any other transport choice than their cars and oil companies are blatantly profiting at the expense of rural families situations.
“Country motorists are deliberately being ripped off.
“With more than 90 per cent of NSW in drought conditions, regional families are already suffering and this is an unfair and disgraceful additional burden.
“Oil companies will use the excuse that that the discrepancies between city and country petrol prices are due to freight – freight prices should only increase fuel by a maximum of 3 cents a litre.
“So why then are Sydney motorists today paying as little as $1.17 while motorists in Tamworth, Dubbo and other regions paying up to 20 cents a litre more? The oil companies have consistently failed to explain this.
“Motorists in regional towns across NSW have been paying exorbitant prices for petrol for too long and the ACCC and State and Federal government should be doing something to fix this price gouging.
“Country motorists are being held to ransom by oil companies and this has already started to have a negative impact on local rural economies.
“The exorbitant price of petrol affects every person every day – and this is why NRMA Motoring and Services is holding an alternative fuel summit next month.
“Australia needs an alternative fuel policy and what is happening to country motorists is one if the very reasons why we need to have a long term effective fuel policy.
“Fuel companies have proven that they can not be trusted to act responsibly.”
* Don’t forget that you can monitor State fuel prices by following this link from our website.
