Campaigning for a better deal for motorists

NRMA has been fighting for a fairer deal for motorists at the pump for some time and, after three frustrating years, I believe that today we are better positioned than ever to achieve some lasting results.

In December, the new Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen gave the ACCC additional powers to formally monitor the actions of the oil companies for three years.

Within one week, a rejuvenated ACCC ordered the oil companies to explain why petrol price rises had outstripped the price of Singapore MOGAS, the benchmark price for Australia. This type of behaviour from the oil companies is not uncommon but, this time, they were being outed publicly and ordered to explain their behaviour.

Similarly, the oil companies were caught out helping themselves to extra profits off the back of motorists over the Christmas holiday period.

The average family holiday cost more than it should again this year. For example, driving your Ford Falcon or Holden Commodore from Sydney to Byron Bay - a distance of 774km - cost $282 with petrol priced at $1.30 a litre, and $347 with petrol at $1.60 a litre. Driving the 284km from Canberra to Sydney cost about $103 at $1.30 a litre and $127 at a price of $1.60.

The ACCC’s actions at Christmas were followed by the appointment last month of Australia’s first Petrol Commissioner - Pat Walker. The appointment comes after three-and-a-half years of NRMA lobbying. It is welcome news that there is now one dedicated Commissioner solely responsible for keeping an eye on the oil companies.

Catching the oil companies ripping us off is one thing but having the powers to order them to drop their prices - and keep their prices low after they’ve been caught making exorbitant profits - is the only way to bring about real change in this industry.

The new Commissioner has a tough job ahead of him. He will need all the powers he can get.

Our commitment to all motorists is that this fight will continue until you stop getting ripped off.

I would like to welcome Coral Taylor to the NRMA Board.

Alan Evans President