January 24, 2013
AAP
BRISBANE motorists paid more for unleaded petrol last year than drivers in every major mainland capital city.
The RACQ’s 2012 Annual Fuel Report revealed Brisbane’s average unleaded fuel price was 145.4 cents per litre.
That was 4.8 cents per litre higher than Melbourne, and up 3.9cpl on Sydney, 3.6cpl on Adelaide and 2.4cpl on Perth.
It was also 2.9cpl higher than the 2011 average for Brisbane.
Paul Turner from the RACQ said while Brisbane motorists paid more at the bowser, the wholesalers, refiners and retailers were lining their pockets.
“Fuel companies … enjoyed a 6.9cpl increase in total margins,” Mr Turner said.
“The dominance of the major fuel companies and the absence of a major discounter, which many of the other capital cities enjoy, also continue to contribute to the high prices in Brisbane.”
Mr Turner said even those willing to hunt for a bargain had the odds stacked against them in 2012, with a volatile southeast Queensland fuel price cycle making it difficult to predict the cheap days.
“The fuel cycle fluctuated between nine and 15 days in the first three quarters of the year and in the last quarter varied from 14 to 19 days, making it difficult for motorists to seek out the cheapest prices,” Mr Turner said.
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