4/6/04
Perth's average unleaded fuel prices are as much as three cents per litre cheaper than Australia's major eastern cities.
Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke said today that our motorists were getting a better deal, despite the fact that Perth was a smaller market for fuel than Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.
"Our local fuel is not only cheaper, it is the most environmentally friendly unleaded petrol in Australia," Mr Kobelke said.
"In the past month, Perth's average of 97.8 cents per litre (cpl) was three cents cheaper than Brisbane's non-rebated average, 2.2cpl less than Adelaide, 1.3 cents below Sydney's average and 1 cent below Melbourne even when you take Victoria's government rebate into account.
"Motorists using FuelWatch's Cheapest Metro Sites service have saved even more.
"Perth's average fuel prices have been cheaper than those eastern states' cities, during April and May, while the pressure on prices has been increased due to the soaring price of oil internationally."
The Minister welcomed the news that Saudi Arabian officials had pledged to boost oil production and hoped this would help ease the price of crude oil.
"Even in these times of higher petrol prices, FuelWatch (which is a Government service other States don't have) has been helping to identify those outlets where fuel has remained under $1 per litre," he said.
"At all times FuelWatch helps motorists to vote with their wheels and support the retailers who are keeping prices low.
"In the 12 months to May as instability has increased in the Middle East and Iraq, Perth's average fuel prices have risen by 13.6 per cent, whereas prices in the major Eastern States cities have gone up between 16.9 and 21.4 per cent."
Mr Kobelke said since the Gallop Government was elected, FuelWatch had also helped in reducing the difference between the price of petrol in Perth and cities and towns in regional Western Australia.
"Since FuelWatch began, the city-country differential has been reduced by up to three cents per litre in some country areas," he said.
The Minister said the Gallop Government's plan to cap the retail price of petrol had been abandoned because of lack of support, with less than one third of submissions backing the idea and with small and big business groups, the RAC and the Motor Trades Association and a large group of individual consumers opposed to capping.
"Capping was only one element of a broad strategy intended to put downward pressure on retail prices and the Gallop Government has delivered on its commitment," he said.
"We have introduced mandatory display of petrol price boards, locked FuelWatch monitored prices in for 24 hours and expanded FuelWatch to regional towns.
"FuelWatch has allowed motorists to buy below the average by identifying where the best prices are available and with the confidence of knowing it will still be at that price when they get there."
Minister's office: 9222 9211
