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'Significant rise': motorists feel the pinch as fuel prices surge (The Standard: Warrnambool, Australian Community Media)

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Interviewed on regional fuel price exposure in south-west Victoria. Identified the structural disadvantage faced by regional consumers — higher costs of moving fuel to the regions and limited retail competition — and located the underlying pressure in the Iran conflict combined with high transport costs from Asian refineries. Advanced specific policy proposals not made elsewhere in the record: a mandated price ceiling for regional fuel supply, a bowser rebate for key workers administered through existing apps, and additional regional storage to allow fuel to be held when cheaper. Also proposed a toll road cap and rebate to reduce vehicle running costs on south-west roads. Noted that the price crunch had been delayed by some months through reduced Chinese demand, as China drew on reserves and expanded electric vehicle uptake, and illustrated freight economics by reference to a large crude carrier costing around $1 million a day to move two million barrels, with a Saudi Arabia to China voyage running 40 to 45 days.

Subject

Regional Australian fuel prices, retail competition in rural markets, and proposals for price ceilings, key worker rebates and regional storage.

Period24 Sept 2026

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleSignificant rise': motorists feel the pinch as fuel prices surge
    Degree of recognitionRegional
    Media name/outletThe Standard
    Media typeWeb
    Duration/Length/Size4 min read
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date24/09/26
    DescriptionThis article examines the effect of rising fuel prices on motorists in Warrnambool and south-west Victoria, with unleaded ranging from 229.9 to 236.6 cents a litre and diesel from 279.9 to 294.0. It reports a local retailer's account of a 36 cent rise in unleaded and 38 cents in diesel over a month, alongside consumer and political perspectives on the consequences for household budgets, rural travel and families without public transport alternatives. Dr Lurion De Mello identifies the structural disadvantage facing regional consumers, arising from the cost of moving fuel to the regions and limited competition, and locates the underlying pressure in the Iran conflict and high transport costs from Asian refineries. He proposes a government-mandated price ceiling for regional supply, a bowser rebate for key workers deliverable through existing applications, additional regional storage permitting fuel to be held at lower prices, and a toll road cap and rebate to reduce running costs. He notes the crunch was delayed by several months through reduced Chinese demand as the country drew on reserves and expanded electric vehicle adoption, and illustrates freight economics with a large crude carrier costing approximately $1 million a day and a Saudi Arabia to China voyage of 40 to 45 days.
    Producer/AuthorThomas Hanway
    URLhttps://www.standard.net.au/story/9354949/apco-boss-peter-anderson-sees-no-end-in-sight-for-fuel-prices/
    PersonsLurion De Mello
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