RAC condems Easter holiday fuel price

08 April 2009

The RAC has accused BP and Caltex of highway robbery for hiking petrol prices by 15 cents a litre as motorists gear up for their Easter holiday break.

Most BP and some Caltex stations will be charging 127.9 cents/litre on Wednesday – while the metropolitan average is 114.9 cents/litre.

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown has labelled the price slug as totally unjustified.

“This is a breathtakingly cynical move which will see all motorists end up paying more for petrol before the Easter break,” Mr Brown said.

“This unjustified petrol price hike by BP and Caltex will drag up prices across the market place so that when motorists come to fill-up on Thursday they will all be paying more.

“The international price of crude has crept up in the past few days but there is no way that it should have flowed through to local prices yet.

“When the international price of crude goes down it takes the petrol companies more than a week to drop their prices locally.

“But it’s all too convenient for them to jump their local prices almost immediately after the international oil price goes up.

“Motorists should be trying to fill up today at any station which is charging either the average price of 114.9 cents/litre or lower.

“Don’t get ripped off. If you see a BP or Caltex station trying to charge 127.9 cents/litre simply drive past.

“There are 175 sites across Perth selling petrol below the metropolitan average.”

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