Melton electorate fuel prices
Steve McGHIE (Melton) (10:05): The average fuel price across the state last week was $2.06 a litre. In Melton just this week every single fuel station was selling unleaded at $2.31 – no market, no competition, just pure price gouging in Melton at the fuel pump. Just down the road in Bacchus Marsh at the same retailers, Coles Express and Ampol, the price for unleaded was $1.89 per litre, a 42-cent difference. But it is not just the 42 cents, it is the extra $25 a week, the extra $101 a month, the extra $1205 a year that Melton people are being robbed of when filling up their cars. The people of Melton are very angry, and rightly so. They are being ripped off by big fuel companies, who are getting away with it. To add fuel to this fire, the closer you get to the city, the cheaper the fuel is: at BP Rockbank, $1.84; BP Caroline Springs, $1.84; and then at Albion, at the Ballarat Road United, it was $1.83.
Why are Melton families paying premium prices for the same fuel as the rest of the state? The RACV fuel finder tells you not to pay above $2.31, but those who live in Melton do not have that choice. These fuel retailers are taking Melton residents for a ride and are showing no sympathy, compassion or morality in their choice to sell fuel for 20 cents above the state average.
In my inquiries I have questioned the ACCC, and I am now turning to Consumer Affairs Victoria and will be raising these concerns with the Minister for Consumer Affairs herself to help bring down these prices and draw attention to the disgusting actions of these big companies, in particular leading into the Easter break.