While drivers closer to Sydney are enjoying remarkably lower fuel prices, Forbes residents are still waiting for local petrol prices to reflect that of Sydney and surrounds.
National’s Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is calling on local fuel retailers to do the right thing and pass on savings from plummeting world oil prices to consumers. Since early March, there have been large falls in international crude oil and international refined petrol prices which are flowing through to Australian wholesale prices.
“I am pleased lower wholesale prices are being passed on in some areas, but I am alarmed that there are pockets – including parts of the Riverina electorate – where motorists are being slugged with prices way above what they should be paying,” Michael said.
While acknowledging that there are factors that result in higher fuel prices and the delay in price drops in rural communities, Michael warns that locals’ patience is starting to wear thin, saying “In these tough times when people’s incomes have been cut or they have been thrown out of work, they need and deserve a fair go with petrol prices. We are in this together and now is not the time to make big profits at the expense of people who can least afford to pay.”
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has no power to set prices but it has called out retailer behaviour where there is evidence of excessive prices. The Federal Government will continue to watch the actions of fuel retailers in regional areas closely.