Petrol prices to soar in south east Qld

The Queensland government is being urged to introduce real-time fuel price reporting with petrol prices predicted to soar in the state's south-east.

Deb Frecklington

Qld's Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington and the RACQ say real-time fuel price monitoring is needed. (AAP)

Queensland's peak motoring body is calling on the state government to introduce real-time fuel price reporting as petrol prices are forecast to soar in the state's south-east.

The RACQ says prices across the region will climb to three-year highs in coming days with dozens of Brisbane service stations already increasing their price to 151.9 cents per litre.

RACQ spokeswoman Renee Smith says at that price service stations' retail margins are sitting at 27.5 cents per litre.

"If this trend continues, we could potentially see a three-year record high next week," Ms Smith said.

The RACQ says a real-time price reporting system would help customers make a more informed decision due to more retailers providing their price information.

"Not only will this help motorists to save money but it'll force servos selling at a higher price to lower their bowser costs in order to get customers," Ms Smith said.

The introduction of a similar program in NSW called Fuel Check had resulted in prices across Sydney falling by two cents a litre on average, she said.

If that average was applied statewide to Queensland, Ms Smith said it would save motorists $70 million a year.

Queensland opposition leader Deb Frecklington backed the RACQ's call for real-time reporting.

"We all know that competition drives down prices," Ms Frecklington said.

"It works in other states, Queenslanders are missing out."

Queensland State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said real-time reporting was a good idea, but one that had been implemented nationally.

Mr Lynham said operating multiple state systems would put too much pressure on independent retailers and the Queensland government wants the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to be granted the powers and legislation to act on the issue.

"We need nationwide. It's very expensive for small, independent retailers to have different systems operating in every state, so it's only the big people that will benefit," Mr Lynham said.


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Source: AAP



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