Tasmania fuel prices nation's highest

Data from the Australian Institute of Petroleum for last week showed Tasmanians paid on average $1.358 per litre of unleaded fuel – the highest average of any state or territory in the nation.

At $1.311, the Northern Territory had the next most expensive pricing.

In Victoria the average cost of fuel was $1.127 per litre.

The price of fuel in Burnie was $1.355 and in Devonport it was $1.343, a fraction lower than the state average.

RACT member assist general manager Darren Moody agreed and said Tasmania needed another large wholesale provider to increase competition.

Short of that occurring, Mr Moody said the most effective way to lower prices was a concerted effort by Tasmanians to shop for the cheapest fuel – and share its location.

“Make it known through the GasBuddy app or on social media,” he said.

But Mr Moody acknowledged many consumers purchased fuel out of habit and did not travel in search for the cheapest price.

“Sometimes it’s not economically viable to do it,” he said. 

Mr Moody said station prices around $1.30 were “fair and reasonable”. 

Ms Davis said fuel prices were substantial for businesses, and added pressure to an already difficult environment.

She said since the ACCC report, no action had been taken on “this serious issue”.

“There’s been more than enough talk: now regulators must step in to address this market failure and to ensure fuel costs in Launceston are more reasonably aligned with those on the mainland,” she said.