Canberra motorists have something to smile about at the petrol pump with the ACT recording the lowest average price for petrol across all metropolitan areas in Australia.
According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum Weekly Price report, the weekly average for the week ending 17 May for the ACT was 101.6 cents per litre. This was cheaper than all major cities across the country, including Sydney which on average was 12 cents a litre higher.
Perth had the second-best average petrol price at 102.8 cents per litre with Brisbane recording the highest average price at 116.0; the national average was 111.5.
The result follows the ACT Government’s campaign for local petrol stations to charge fairer prices to Canberra motorists.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Canberra motorists often pay higher prices than motorists in other major cities, and “it will be a welcome relief to many local families that the price of petrol in the ACT is as low as possible during this difficult period”.
“The ACT Government will continue challenging local petrol stations to keep their prices at or below the Australian national weekly average,” Mr Barr said.
It is a positive result for the Territory where retail prices are traditionally much slower to come down compared to larger Australian capital cities.
In April the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said petrol retailers should not use the current pandemic to further increase profits and should pass on the full benefit of falling oil prices.
The ACCC recommends motorist compare prices on fuel price apps and websites, such as MotorMouth and the government schemes in NSW, WA and the NT, which also provide information on retail prices in regional locations.
Metropolitan Weekly Average Prices (cents per litre $A) for the week ending 17 May 2020
Canberra 101.6
Perth 102.8
Adelaide 108.3
Melbourne 111.7
Darwin 112.8
Sydney 113.6
Brisbane 116.0
National average 111.5
