MP Warren Entsch has congratulated United Petroleum for “bringing the fuel price fight to Cairns”, where motorists have had a gutful of consistently high prices at the bowser.
“I think it’s fantastic that United is offering cut-price fuel at its new station at Woree, they’re bringing competition to Cairns city which is sorely needed,” he said.
“I’ve driven past Koah many times and seen that United’s prices there are consistently 15 cents per litre (cpl) cheaper.
“What they’ve done out at Woree is a game changer and I understand they’re
talking about opening another five stations around the region, which is fabulous.
“I appreciate that the prices won’t stay at 108.9 cpl and 109.9 cpl for an extended period of time, but motorists should be taking advantage of these reductions while they can.”
Mr Entsch also suggested that maybe it’s time that people start looking at cutting up their loyalty cards with the major fuel chains.
“They may be convenient, but they’re not rewarding motorists with competitively-priced fuel. It’s certainly time we started shopping around and this will also catch the attention of the major companies,” he said.
“There’s no doubt there has been gouging and collusion in the local market, unfortunately it was difficult for the ACCC in its recent study to get evidence of this but the consistently high prices show that the current system doesn’t work.
“Everyone is entitled to make a reasonable profit margin but it has got out of control in this town.”
