Snapshot of Australian petrol pricing

The first Australian Competition and Consumer Commission petrol pricing snapshot was issued today by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

"The snapshot gives consumers information on petrol prices in the major capital cites, international petrol prices and refiner margins", ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said.

"Petrol prices are of great concern to many Australians, particularly recently when prices have been at historically high levels", he said. "This snapshot is intended to remove some of the misconceptions about what causes changes to Australia's petrol price.

"It will show movements in the international refiner margin and the margin between average retail prices and refined petrol prices.

"Consumers will be able to see movements in Australian petrol prices and how they relate to changes in international prices".

Movements in petrol prices in Australia are largely influenced by movements in international refined petrol prices and the Australian/US dollar exchange rate.

A copy of the petrol pricing snapshot [was] available on the ACCC's website [this facility was removed in January 2006].