Transparency to keep oil companies honest

NRMA’s unwavering campaign for fairer petrol prices has scored major victories for Australian motorists.

Oil companies are scrambling for cover as the Australian Government takes steps to deliver a pricing system which is more transparent.

Pat Walker has taken up his post as Petrol Commissioner. His appointment is the result of NRMA’s three-year campaign for a better deal. 

The Commissioner’s sole responsibility is to keep the oil companies honest. The challenges he faces as he tries to bring about a fairer and more transparent petrol industry are immense.

NRMA’s campaign culminated in the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a national Fuel Watch Scheme. This forces oil companies to set their prices for the next day, and these are then published online so motorists can shop for the best deal.

I strongly support this as a way to force retailers to sell petrol for the most competitive price and to protect motorists from wild same-day price fluctuations.

Over Easter and in the lead up to the Commissioner’s appointment, the NRMA studied gaps in prices.
 
Our research showed consistently that the weekly price cycle - with prices lowest on Tuesday and highest on Thursday - was leaving motorists worse off. On a Thursday the price blew out anywhere between 11 and 13 cents.
 
The Commissioner can bring more relief for motorists at the expensive end of the week - a cut in just a few cents per litre would make a huge difference to families.

NRMA is committed to helping the Petrol Commissioner bring
about change.

We look forward to working with him on behalf of all NRMA Members.

Alan Evans President