ACCC advises motorists to send a strong message on high petrol prices by giving business to lower priced outlets

This has been supported by Whitlam MP Stephen Jones who said there was "definite price gouging" and he was concerned the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) could need "more power to better protect motorists."

Hume MP Angus Taylor said he had also made the ACCC aware of the situation in the Highlands.

"The Government expects all industry players to pass on price reductions in full, particularly in regional communities that are still feeling the impacts from the bushfires and drought," he said.

Meanwhile, the ACCC has advised motorists that "giving your business to outlets that are pricing competitively sends a strong message to those that have high prices that they will lose your business."

The criticism has been sparked by the price at most bowsers across the region being well-above the price of petrol in most other regional communities.

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People voiced their anger and frustrations on the Southern Highland News Facebook page last week which pointed to a price comparison story looking at petrol prices across regional NSW.

The story highlighted that the price of fuel in the Southern Highlands was significantly higher than every other region considered.

The prices identified (based on standard unleaded 91) between April 22 and 24 were:

The best news for Southern Highlands motorists was at independent service stations at Robertson and Colo Vale where petrol was seen advertised at 99.9 cents over the weekend.

Price updates for other areas were also shared.

"Yes we are at Narellan today 88.9, Pheasant Nest 97.9. How does Southern Highlands work out prices?"

"92 cents in Tahmoor today."

"100.9 in Wagga."

"107.9 Bradbury"

Updates of prices elsewhere continued to roll in on the News Facebook post throughout the weekend.

And so did the question regarding the higher prices at many service stations in the Southern Highlands.

"What are our elected officials doing about the difference?"

"All Bowral prices are the same and we are expected to believe that there is no collusion."

"100 per cent it is shameless gouging. They're a disgrace."

"It's funny, they can't use the traveling reason as an excuse. I just checked the price in Deniliquin where I used to live and if any of you know where it is in the middle of nowhere it's 99.5 there."

"As I've been told .... "Southern Highlands Tax".

By April 29 prices across the Highlands had dropped according to the NSW Government FuelCheck app, with unleaded 91 ranging in price from 109.7 at Mobil Mittagong to 115.9 at BP Mittagong.

This was still more than Independent Thirlmere (89.8) located about a 30 minute drive north as well as Metro Fuel Tahmoor at 93.9.

Further north at Campbelltown motorists were enjoying unleaded 91 prices as low as 73.7 at Westside Petroleum at Campbelltown.

The highest fuel price listed on the FuelCheck app in the Campbelltown area was 93.9 at Caltex Spring Farm, Ambarvale, Macarthur Square and Campbelltown Mall, and 7-Eleven at Campbelltown.

Meanwhile, the lowest price at Goulburn on April 29 was found at Hill and Co Metro Depot for 99.9, while the highest price in Goulburn on the same day was 125.9 at both Coles Express and Caltex Woolworths Goulburn South.

The Southern Highland News contacted the ACCC and was directed to a press release from April 22 where the commission said that petrol retailers "should not use the current pandemic to further increase profits."

The press release continued that weekly average international crude oil prices had decreased by around US$ 50 per barrel since the beginning of the year and this had largely flowed through to Australian wholesale petrol prices, which had decreased by around 50 cents per litre (cpl) in the same period.

ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in the release that fuel prices were generally higher in regional Australia due to a number of factors, including lower population and demand, meaning there are fewer petrol stations, which often led to less competition. There were also higher costs for transport and storage of fuel, and less convenience sales which could support the operation costs of petrol retailers when fuel prices were low.

He said price changes in regional centres could lag up to six weeks behind changes in the larger capital cities, because the turnover of stock was generally lower in the country. The reduction in demand for petrol due to current travel restrictions may have further exacerbated the lag.

"We have previously found that the lack of vigorous and effective competition in some regional locations was a major reason for higher prices in those locations," Mr Sims said.

"Giving your business to outlets that are pricing competitively sends a strong message to those that have high prices that they will lose your business. We recommend motorists compare prices on fuel price apps and websites, such as MotorMouth and the government schemes in NSW, WA and the NT, which also provide information on retail prices in regional locations.

"The ACCC's role is to monitor the market closely, and we will continue to do this, particularly to keep the pressure on the petrol retailers at this time."

Mr Jones said he had written to the Federal treasurer inquiring about whether or not the ACCC had "enough power".

"If not we should give it more powers to better protect motorist," he said.

Mr Taylor said consumers could be the most powerful regulator.

"So if you see a station with unusually high prices, don't give them your business. It pays to shop around for the best deal," he said.

"I note that the prices are much lower at independent outlets. Support the lower priced independents at Bundanoon and Berrima - it doesn't just help you it helps everyone else."

Mr Taylor urged anyone with evidence of price fixing or collusion to notify the ACCC.

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