WA motorists hit again by retailer hiking fuel prices

21 January 2009

Western Australian motorists are being pummelled by higher petrol prices with a second major retailer spiking their prices by 18 cents a litre.

The RAC had previously warned that a similar move by eight BP stations to raise their prices by up to 18 cents a litre yesterday could lead to a renewed round of price increases across the market.

Fuel Watch now indicates that at least 19 Caltex sites across Perth will also increase their prices by as much as 18 cents a litre for tomorrow.

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said motorists have had enough of the cynical tactics of petrol retailers and should start fighting back by boycotting these sites.

“The average price for petrol in Perth tomorrow is around $1.05 a litre,” Mr Brown said.

“If you see a Caltex or BP station trying to charge you significantly more than that, simply keep driving past it.

“There is nothing in the international movement in the price of oil that could possibly justify an increase of this magnitude.

“The move by certain Caltex and BP sites to jump their prices by such a big margin confirms our suspicion that there is a move on to drag the market price of petrol up in the days leading up to the Australia Day long weekend.

“This could mean that other retailers will be watching on and just waiting to raise their own prices, perhaps not by as much as 18 cents a litre but certainly higher than the current average price.

“It’s a pretty cynical move aimed at hitting motorists in the lead-up to a holiday break.”

Download the release