Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan said he was determined to get to the bottom of why petrol prices in Page were higher than those paid by city motorists after the competition watchdog confirmed it was monitoring North Coast fuel prices.
Mr Hogan wrote to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission last month asking it to investigate why petrol prices were well above the average of both Sydney and Brisbane.
“The ACCC has written back to me to confirm it was monitoring prices across our community and will report their findings to me when completed. This will also include any action they will be taking in regard to anti-competitive behaviour,” Mr Hogan said.
Today’s (Tuesday) average petrol price in Sydney was $1.01 a litre, while in Ballina the price was $1.219, Casino $1.20, Grafton $1.175 and Lismore $1.205.
While the price gap has narrowed slightly since Christmas it is still costing Northern Rivers’ motorist up to $8 more to fill up the average tank than those in Sydney.
“This is totally unacceptable,” Mr Hogan said. “Even accounting for the cost of transporting fuel, our pump priced should be lower and fall at the same rate as it does in the cities.
