What we're talking about

Robert on Bicycles vs Syd Traffic "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race" H.G.WellsI own and pay ... more
Justin on Bicycles vs Syd Traffic I just wish cyclists would ride their damned grids in Clover Moore's cycle lanes. But no, they ride on the footpaths. Hardly ... more
Dennis on Message not sinking in over speeding It is unfortunate that every now and then there is a horrendous accident that brings out all the bad elements of behaviour ... more
Nae on Message not sinking in over speeding Put speed limiters on cars. Some type of system that where you have to enter a pin before you start the car, which ... more
Max on Message not sinking in over speeding Further to the comments made by Tim in his editorial. Punishment does not work and in many cases creates an antagonistic ... more
colin on Holding out for a miracle in Copenhagen Poor old kevino7 what a loser. This fool promised the world and delivered NOTHING. more
Robert on Will Copenhagen climate talks fail? Man made climate change is the scam of the age. Get back to Australia Krudd and do what your payed for, sort out the mess on ... more
colin on Will Copenhagen climate talks fail? Why cant each country clean up its own backyard.If somebody is a polluter tell them to clean up their business or close them ... more
Steve on Will Copenhagen climate talks fail? Its a massive con crudd wong garret wont debate CC BS with anyone,they know facts r flawed & would get ... more
Mark on Where are the Super Clinics Kev? Kevin Rudd broke another promise and yet he wanted to sign a treaty in Copenhagen giving 7 billion dollars to the UN more
Mark on Will Copenhagen climate talks fail? Kevin gives us $900 with one hand and takes thousands back with the other. more
Peter on Where are the Super Clinics Kev? Gees Tim , maybe the World Global Financial Crisis , had something to do with the lack of the super clinics more
raymond on Time to roll up the sleeves Labor is headed for oblivion,and rightfully so.One must judge them by not what they say,but,what they do,and they have done ... more
June Osborne on Streamlining our government system This topic is talked about quite often in our home and couldn't agree more with you. They are not going to vote themselves ... more
Tony on Climate change, do we still care? Tim Webster says: "It is a no-brainer, that we should pollute less, isn't it? Surely no-one disagrees with that." Depends on ... more
Shelley on Climate change, do we still care? Marie Monday 23 November, 2009 - 7:15 AM YES! I'm with you here Marie. The sound of crickets chirping is louder than the ... more
Marie on Climate change, do we still care? Kevin Rudd wants to rush the ETS through Parliament so he can strut around the Copenhagen meeting of leaders .Well I have ... more
maggie on Asylum seekers: What's the next step? Merely wonder what time frame and how much patience would be shown to a common garden variety Aussie , if they were to ... more
Jay on Asylum seekers: What's the next step? The people we need to get tough with are NOT just the people smugglers but the people causing these people to turn to people ... more
Marilyn on Asylum seekers: What's the next step? Because we promised the world back in 1954 that we would never turn away refugees because we helped to send millions of ... more

Petrol Prices: Old dogs & old tricks

Posted by: 2UE | 1 July, 2009 - 12:06 PM

Tim Webster on oil company 'oligopoly' getting cozier

NRMA President Wendy Machin has written to the petrol commissioner calling for an investigation into petrol prices. Tim Webster points out however, the 'Oligopoly' still exists and it is getting cozier.

Blog comments

Hello Tim,
I agree with you regarding the price fixing of petrol by oil companies. When the Government started making nosies about alternate fuels and subsidising gas conversions on cars, the price of petrol fell, until the noise faded and then up it went again. Could we not organise a boycott of a particulars brand until the price drops and then move on to the next until they drop and so on. I'm not suggesting we don't buy fuel at all, simply boycott a brand eg shell, then caltex,then BP until the price comes down.

Tony van Akker Wednesday 1 July, 2009 - 2:55 PM
Tim, your comment on petrol prices today was spot on.
You indicated that motorists are a very discriminated against. We all complain about petrol prices and rightly so.
However, for some Sydneysiders, tolls are a bigger burden. If you live in the Hills area, for example, you will probably spend MORE on tolls than fuel, as you know.
Parking is another issue where inner councils use meters to charge for parking in their streets, or else fine you.
It seems that the state government and many local governments hate the motor car.
Unfortunately, public transport is a woeful alternative and simply an impossible option for some people.

Greg Hayes Wednesday 1 July, 2009 - 12:54 PM