Issue Date:  -  Monday, 18 March 2002

Shell forces up fuel prices.

Assistant Prices Commissioner, Barbara Macnish, today warned Perth motorists that Shell has pushed up prices at their retail sites by an average of eight cents per litre for unleaded petrol (ULP).

"Motorists purchasing ULP at Shell's company controlled service stations tomorrow will pay up to an additional 10 cents per litre," Ms Macnish said.

"Shell's very large price hike is completely unjustified given that tomorrow's average price for ULP in the metro region is 87.3 cents per litre and the maximum wholesale price will be 83.59 cents per litre. Shell's average price tomorrow is 94.8 cents per litre."

"There is no apparent reason for this large price hike by Shell given the current maximum wholesale price," she said.

"We want to encourage motorists who are purchasing fuel during the next couple of days to buy fuel from those service stations selling fuel at the lowest prices," Ms Macnish said.

Ms Macnish reminded motorists to use the free FuelWatch service to find the best buy in their area.

"The FuelWatch website (www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au) lists 271 service stations in Perth selling ULP below the average metropolitan price of 87.3 cents per litre tomorrow," Ms Macnish said.

FuelWatch now provides free email petrol price information (just check the website) a telephone service for the cost of a local call on 1300 55 08 08 and pricing information direct from the website.