Pressure on servos to report real-time price
HOBART’S average petrol price increased by more than 8 cents a litre in the last quarter — and the city also was the least affordable Australian capital when transport costs were considered as a percentage of the average income, a new report shows.
It comes as the RACT calls on the State Government to legislate centralised real-time fuel price information to be made available to the public.
The Australian Automobile Association yesterday released its quarterly transport affordability index, which revealed in dollar terms Hobart had the lowest total transport costs, while Sydney had the highest.
But when the cost was measured as a share of typical household income, Hobart was the least affordable capital city for transport costs.
The average cost of transport represented 16.9 per cent of a person’s income in Hobart, above the national capital city average of 14.7 per cent.
Hobart also remained the capital city with the highest fuel prices and expenditure.
The average petrol price was 153.2 cents a litre in the June quarter, up 8.3 cents a litre from the previous quarter.
The report showed Hobart households were paying an extra $199 a year for fuel, while Launceston residents were paying $264 more per household each year.
RACT executive general manager of membership and community Stacey Pennicott said it was time to make it compulsory for fuel retailers to report their prices at the bowser.
“It is time for governmentled, centralised real-time fuel price information to be made available to the public,” she said.
“This would involve retailers being required to share their pricing, as well as all levels of government actively monitoring prices to address unjustifiable and excessive differences.”
Building and Construction Minister Elise Archer encouraged consumers to use the GasBuddy app and support fuel retailers providing competitive prices.
“Two important measures have been implemented,” she said. “This includes support to the RACT to provide free public access to timely and accurate fuel prices across Tasmania through the GasBuddy fuel price app, and the introduction of a code of practice for Fuel Price Boards to ensure only full retail prices are displayed.
“This package delivers better fuel price information for Tasmanian motorists without the need for red tape.”
University of Tasmania student Georgia Arnold, 19, said regular trips home to Launceston saw her get through petrol quickly and at $80 a tank, it was tough to fit into her budget. “Even just driving through Hobart, the prices can change from one side of the city to the other, so it would be helpful to be able to access accurate prices in real time,” she said.