AS FUEL prices drop to record lows across the country, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has begun its analysis of fuel pricing in regional areas.
Since April last year the price of unleaded in Swan Hill has fallen from almost 160 cents per litre to 125.9 yesterday.
The price of diesel has also nose-dived in recent months, from 154 cents per litre in mid-November to 132.9 yesterday.
But it is the discrepancy between metropolitan and regional fuel prices the ACCC will scrutinise.
Previous data indicated Swan Hill has the second highest average gross fuel margin in the state — 14.9 cents per litre in the 2012-13 year, compared to 5.9 cents per litre in Melbourne.
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the cost difference seemed to be “larger than the cost of freight”.
“It is not fair, the issue has been around for decades and at various times government has tried to do something about it and I hope the ACCC getting involved will shed some light on it,” he said.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (January 16).
