In a significant move to draw attention to Australia’s rising fuel excise, a service station in Cranbourne West, Melbourne, offered petrol for just 99.9 cents per litre for a limited time today. This price, unseen for nearly two decades, attracted a large number of eager motorists keen to take advantage of the discount.
Among the crowd was local resident Jasmine, who reflected on the impact of high fuel prices on her driving habits, noting that she can only afford to drive her V8 Commodore once a week. Pensioner Pauline echoed similar concerns, expressing her frustration about budgeting for fuel on a limited income.
This initiative, orchestrated by the Libertarian Party, aimed to protest against the current fuel tax, which amounts to approximately 55 cents per litre. MP David Limbrick emphasised the financial strain on consumers due to government-imposed excise taxes.
However, industry representatives, like Peter Khoury from the NRMA, while acknowledging the average Melbourne fuel price of $1.90 per litre, raised questions about the effectiveness of such stunts. According to him, the funds collected from fuel excise are essential for improving roads and ensuring driver safety, suggesting that the broader context of fuel pricing must be considered.