Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 8 January 2002

Fuel prices driven up by oil majors.

Fuel prices are on their way up tomorrow warns Consumer Protection Commissioner Pat Walker.

"Fuel prices at many of the major oil companies' service stations will be about 12 cents higher tomorrow, so motorists should fill up this evening or before 6am when the price hike will take effect," said Mr Walker.

"The oil majors have increased fuel prices despite gradual falls in the maximum wholesale price over the last month. The maximum wholesale price for tomorrow is 75.7 cents per litre, which means the significant price hikes are unjustified."

"The normal Perth metro retail margin is in the order of 2.5 - 3 cents per litre," Mr Walker said.

"The average metro ULP price tomorrow will be 84.6 cents per litre. Perth motorists have been enjoying low fuel prices over the last week," Mr Walker said.

"At this stage, there have been no recorded increases in fuel prices in major regional centres."

"There is no apparent reason for this large price hike given that the maximum wholesale price has fallen slightly and there are no obvious changes in international factors which would impact on WA fuel prices at the pump," Mr Walker said.

"The Government's FuelWatch system that monitors fuel prices recorded the rise in prices which will take effect from tomorrow. FuelWatch means motorists can be warned when price changes are on the horizon and gives them an opportunity to know where to fill up at the cheapest price."

Mr Walker said that motorists should check FuelWatch information to find the best buy in their area.

"The FuelWatch website (www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au) lists 100 sites selling ULP below 80 cents per litre tomorrow in the metropolitan area," Mr Walker said.

"Motorists could pay as much as 88.9 cents per litre if they don't check FuelWatch for their cheapest location. There will be 213 sites tomorrow selling above the metro average of 86.4 cents per litre, the majority of these sites are controlled by the major oil companies."

"If you don't have access to the web, you can ring 1300 55 08 08 for the cost of a local call, to check fuel prices in your area," Mr Walker told motorists.

"Tomorrow's inflated fuel prices will not apply at service station pumps until after 6am, so motorists should purchase their fuel from reasonably priced outlets tonight or before 6 o'clock tomorrow morning."

"FuelWatch is administered by the Department of Consumer Protection which is the first program of its kind in Australia giving WA motorists advance notice of fuel prices," said Mr Walker.