Stating the bleeping obvious

Firstly, the FuelWatch system is just another condensed version of the weekly fuel cycle system we have now. All ineffective in delivering any long term real benefit to the motorist and truckie. The oil companies "hedge" the price of crude months in advance to maximise profit. If the Govt had balls it would lock the retail price of all fuels to the price of Singapore crude on the first of each month so that price stability can return to the bowser for a month at a time. The Govt still gets its unfair share in taxes but we get stability and retain better control over the oil companies (and their high profits). Price stability is what we want. Secondly, real alternative fuel use must be legislated immediately. E10 and Ediesel fuel must be made mandatory in all fuel stations at a significant price saving NOT the 2 to 3 cents we see now. This would also create a more robust local Efuel industry to counter the big oil companies. LPG and LNG pricing for Aussies must be on a par with what we give China. Aussie made/sold cars must have a very high proportion of LPG standard vehicles - what Aussie wants a small Hybrid to drive to Melb from Cairns. All Govt vehicles must be LPG equipped - this would keep the local industry of FORD and HOLDEN in the Federal Fleet system. Introduce Electric cars for Suburban use. The Federal and State Govts will not allow these cars to be registered!! ALL THIS IS NOT HARD. It only requires LEADERSHIP and PLANNING, something our Govt's seem to lack.

I am getting sick and tired of the bleating about the cost of PETROL. What about the cost of diesel. The NRMA say they dont push the sublect because not enough of it is used but most of our trucks run on, diesel, more and more cars are sold as diesel but currently in some centres it is now costing $1.94.99 cents a litre and I never hear any uproar about this. Diesel used to cost less than petrol but now it is through the roof. Wake up and do something about the cost of ALL FUEL, not just petrol as this is the real problem with the rising prices of everything that we eat and use these days

Ged Up has made a big error Here in W.A. it works perfectely. Yuor article is right on the spot.

In west australia it works very very well,but then we are closer to civilization than the Esterners.

If petrol prices are to keep going up Fuel Watch is even more important to implement. The opposition's arguments against it are childish in the extreme. They are merely deriding the government beause they themselves have no answers to the problem. At least the government is attempting to address the problem. The opposition should be hung, drawn and quartered for opposing it.

That' all very well but it was not just the few cents per litre that it saved me. It was also the driving around to find cheaper fuel. With FuelWatch we just knew where to go to get the cheapest petrol near where we were staying. I think you are all being too cute. Although fuelwatch is only a marginal effect it is still helpful - and it works in WA to save around 2c a litre plus the stress reduction. The longer term solutions are just that, longer term.

Perhaps the government should be investing in alternate fuels instead of arguing about taking 5 or 10 cents a litre off petrol, while prices rise that much before they reach any kind of conclusion.

FuelWatch is very useful. I use it each time I have to fill a vehicle, and it saves me money each time. It does not fix the bigger problem, but helps motorists make the most of the current price cycle. Savings can be up to 10c a litre. Worth having. Stop taking the p*** out of it and give it a go. It works.

Hahaha.. brilliant!!!

Rudd and Co have no idea whatsoever on how to control fuel prices! It, plus a few other problems, of their own making i might add, will lose them the next Federal Election! Get rid of the total GST on fuel (it is a Tax on a Tax), the States have not upheld their end of the original bargain, so let the Commonwealth do its own thing!