Perth motorists can no longer rely on the traditional 'cheap Tuesday' fuel prices due to the ongoing Middle East war disrupting global supply chains, according to WA's consumer watchdog. The city's unique weekly price cycle, which typically makes Tuesday the cheapest day to buy petrol, has been thrown off balance by volatile and uncertain market conditions.
Fuel retailers usually depend on steady supply and predictable costs to maintain these pricing cycles, but current instability has made that impossible. Commissioner Trish Blake stated that the price cycle Perth residents have come to expect will not return until the conflict ends and supply chains stabilize, which could take several months after the conflict concludes.
Blake advised motorists to check the FuelWatch website daily from 2:30pm to find the cheapest petrol stations and make informed decisions about when to purchase fuel. On Wednesday, FuelWatch reported some outlets in Perth and Mandurah had dropped prices by over 20 cents, while others had increased them.
The federal government's halved fuel excise came into effect, but Blake warned that price drops at the bowser may not occur immediately. Fuel already in retailers' underground tanks was purchased before the excise cut, so retailers need to recover costs first. As stock depletes and is replaced with cheaper petrol, prices will eventually decrease.
Blake assured that she is monitoring the situation closely to ensure the full value of the excise cut is passed on to consumers. So far, 21 infringements have been issued for alleged noncompliance, including selling at prices different from those notified to FuelWatch and improper signage.
