Boycott call as fuel prices soar higher
PETROL prices in Geelong have soared to $1.70 per litre, with a national boycott of service stations organised for today and tomorrow.
Unleaded fuel prices yesterday afternoon were between 159.9c and 169.9c a litre at some Geelong bowsers, with the highest prices found in Bannockburn.
The price peak slugged motorists ahead of the AFL Grand Final long weekend and in the middle of school holidays.
The petrol price pain peaked in the city the day before the beginning of a national fuel strike, organised by Queensland woman Sabrina Lamont.
Ms Lamont organised the strike online, claiming “it’s time to rise up against the petroleum industry and make a stand”, and calling on motorists to avoid filling up their tanks today and tomorrow.
“The loss of the fuel plus the added sales of drinks, chocolates etc should be enough to send a shock to the industry,” Ms Lamont wrote on a Facebook event for the strike, where about 130,000 people had signalled their interest in joining.
“Following on from this strike we will be arranging targeted strikes until our voices are heard and a change is made.
“These targeted strikes include boycotting selected companies, rallying and longer strikes.”
RACV vehicle engineering manager Michael Case this week said the organisation was concerned by fuel prices in the city.
“On Melbourne trends we have reached a four-year high in petrol prices. Geelong prices could follow suit,” Mr Case told the Geelong Advertiser.
“Fuel prices have been influenced by an underlying increase in oil prices. The increased oil prices have a flow-on effect which extends to the wholesale price of refined petrol, and subsequently the prices we see at the pump.
“The oil industry needs to o explain the rise in this cycle.” ”
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s price cycle chart art for Melbourne’s petrol prices s suggest fuel prices are set to plateau and drop in coming days, if they follow their regular pattern.
“Prices appear to be around the highest point of the cycle,” the ACCC’s buying ng tip section noted. “If possible, e, motorists should avoid buying ng petrol at this time.”