Petrol supplier, Caltex, has flagged that it will ask the Australian Federal Government for a petrol price rise of ten cents to address the cost of complying with emission trading schemes. The RACV’s David Cummings has expressed the view that the focus should remain on coal fired power stations. “Drivers are already facing enough taxes. It is way too early for Caltex to ask drivers to pay for their inefficiencies,” he said. In contrast, economics writer Ross Gittins has called repeatedly for the government to increase the petrol excise to begin reducing consumption, fuel investment in renewables and begin future proofing the economy against the impending oil shock. The government is repeating public statements by the oil industry that the price of petrol would fall if governments reduce their stock piles.
