Fight fuelling up

CUMBERLAND Council will write to the Federal Government and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) seeking urgent relief from skyrocketing petrol prices.
Cr Eddy Sarkis says the soaring petrol prices are ridiculous and “everyone’s feeling the pinch”.
With the price of petrol increasing up to 40 cents – to over $1.40 – in recent weeks, Cr Sarkis called on the council to take the initiative and push the Federal Government and the ACCC to get some relief.
Councillors have suggested that relief could come from cutting the fuel excise – even if for a short time.
”In 2021 we couldn’t travel more than 5km outside our home due to Covid and in 2022 we can’t afford to,” Cr Sarkis said.
He says petrol prices are through the roof and putting a strain on the family income.
Mayor Lisa Lake said “the increase in fuel prices is being felt by us all and adding to the rising cost of living pressures, particularly when considering the burden of toll roads when driving in and out of the Cumberland LGA”, while Cr Steve Christou said the prices were crippling families and businesses across the State.
While it could be argued that the fuel excise provides important road funding, Cr Glenn Elmore said that a surplus of funds for roads spending could mean the excise could be reduced for a couple of months to give motorists some relief.
The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has also written to the Federal Government calling on it to address the significant increases of fuel costs burdening transport businesses, in particular small operators and owner drivers on razor thin margins.
“For some, even minor increases in operating costs pose an existential threat,” the TWU said.