WE’RE ‘RUNNING ON EMPTY’
TOWNSVILLE families are bracing to get slugged by high fuel prices at the pump, with the Federal Budget delivering no relief for motorists.
The Albanese Government followed through on its plans to not reinstate the fuel excise discount, which will save it $30bn over six months, in its recent budget.
The fuel tax for motorists was halved to 22.1 cents a litre until September 28, when the discount expired.
It comes as petrol prices are expected to jump by up to 40c a litre in a matter of weeks as the end of the fuel excise cut is finally felt at the pump.
Gulliver resident Debbie Nicol said rising fuel prices had left the weekly budget for her family of four “running on empty”, and she was desperately hoping to see some relief come through in the Federal Budget.
“It’s just ridiculous how much it’s gone up,” she said.
“For us to drive to and from work every day, take the kids to school, run our errands and do weekend outings — we’re spending $100-150 a week at the pump now the price of fuels gone back up.” Ms Nicol said it’s put added pressure on the mounting cost of living as they struggle to pay $450 in weekly rent on top of other bills.
“We’re also paying for my elderly mother’s meals on wheels service every week because she has severe cataracts and can’t cook,” she said.
“All those costs leave us barely scraping through with about $250 to eat each week.
“We are running on empty. It’s as simple as that.
“After we budget and pay what we have to pay every week, feed our children, get to and from work — we’re left in debit. We can’t do it anymore.”
It comes after Federal Kennedy MP Bob Katter recently raised concerns about the Federal Government introducing a nine-cent per litre increase to the Road User Charge (RUC).
He claims the hike will seriously affect the transport industry and all producers and suppliers that rely on freight, including farmers.
But Transport Minister Catherine King said heavy vehicle operators would be able to offset the price increase by claiming back Fuel Tax Credits for fuel purchased from September 29.