By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Service stations are unfairly charging up to $1.38 a litre in Geelong’s outlying towns, according to RACV fuel spokesperson Michael Case.
While suburban prices for standard unleaded hovered around the 97 cents mark, small towns along the Surf Coast and on the Bellarine Peninsula were up to 40 cents a litre dearer this week.
Drivers were slugged $1.38 at Queenscliff, $1.37 at Anglesea and $1.20 at Leopold.
Mr Case said the wide variation in regional fuel prices was unjustifiable.
“Especially if service stations are in one location or nearby, there’s no reason for that wide a gap.”
Mr Case said the gaps between high and low prices in the Geelong region were even wider than other regional centres that the RACV was monitoring.
Motorists in smaller centres were often stuck paying higher prices because of a lack of competition, he said.
“Those that don’t travel out of the town are stuck with it. If motorists do travel they should buy fuel at stations where it’s much cheaper.
“Send a message to those service stations … by supporting those keeping their prices down.”
Mr Case said motorists could monitor fuel prices at racv.com.au.
Federal Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said the behaviour of petrol retailers that were gouging motorists in regional areas was “simply not good enough”.
She singled out Woolworths, Coles and BP as “blatantly anti-competitive”.
“That’s why our government needs to introduce an effects test, as recommended by the Harper Review, to better protect small businesses.
“Woolworths and Coles, in particular, have demonstrated on numerous occasions that when it comes to playing fair they can’t be trusted.
“I’ve met with Treasurer Scott Morrison about these issues and made him aware of my deep concerns.
“I’m absolutely determined to stand up for fairer prices in regional communities.”
