Petrol Prices in Australia

7 December 2006

© Commonwealth of Australia 2006
ISBN 0 642 71724 9

Referral and Terms of Reference
Conduct of the inquiry
Outline of the report
Past inquiries
Note on references in this report

Introduction
How the price of petrol is arrived at
To what extent do fluctuations in the crude oil price affect the petrol price?
What other factors affect the wholesale price of petrol in Australia?
Does meeting Australian fuel standards increase the price of petrol?
Conclusion

Introduction
What is the cause of petrol price cycles?
Why is the public so acutely aware of petrol price cycles?
Is it true that petrol prices rise on long weekends and public holidays?
Does the public benefit from price cycles?
Intervening in the market--the Western Australian experience
Conclusion

Introduction
Changes in the drivers of competition
Industry concentration and vertical integration
Discounting petrol prices?competition or collusion?
Supermarket chains
Conclusion

Introduction
Is GST a tax on a tax?
What is the impact of excise on petrol prices?
Are petrol taxes too low?
Conclusion

Introduction
Are country petrol prices really higher than city prices?
What factors contribute to the price of petrol in country areas?
Do petrol taxes impose a greater burden on country consumers?
So what can be done to reduce country petrol prices?
Conclusion

Introduction
ACCC powers, responsibilities and activities in the petrol market
Are the ACCC’s powers sufficient?
Why doesn’t the Government set petrol prices?
What else can be done?
What are the State and Territory Governments doing?
Should Governments intervene in the market?

Intervening in the market
Monitoring the market
Facilitating understanding of petrol prices in the community
Closing the gap between country and city prices
Decreasing petroleum consumption
Greater awareness of new fuel quality standards
Reviewing taxes on petrol

Commonwealth
State and Territory