There are days when one in three Australians can’t afford petrol, Canstar Blue survey finds
NEW research shows just how much financial strain Aussies drivers are under. And the petrol pain is only going to get worse.
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ONE in three Australian drivers admit there are days they can’t afford to buy petrol.
That’s one of the findings of a new study from customer research company Canstar Blue, which also found that 35 per cent of drivers will only fill up at the bowser if they have a discount voucher.
The research shows the financial strain that Aussie drivers are under — all at a time when the federal government plans to raise fuel taxes.
The national survey of more than 2000 Australians found that two thirds take note of the fluctuations of fuel prices and only fill up on days when petrol is cheapest.
Despite the financial hardship associated with buying petrol, the survey found that 59 per cent of respondents still thought it was cheaper to drive than use public transport.
Of those, only half would switch to a train, bus or ferry if it was cheaper and one in three would have to drive to access public transport anyway.
The average Aussie driver spends $144 a month on fuel, and a quarter of those surveyed said they would drive across town for cheap petrol.
Victorians spend the most each month ($159) and West Australians pay the least ($131).
Another piece of research released last week by car insurer Bingle shows that the average driver spends $3075 a year on petrol, which is up 10 per cent in two years.
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Motorists are expected to face higher petrol prices in coming weeks as the turmoil in Iraq causes oil prices to surge.
However, Treasurer Joe Hockey has reiterated that the government is committed to reinstating fuel excise indexation, which will raise petrol prices.
“You can’t make long-term policy on the basis of day-to-day spikes or falls in oil prices. If you did that, you’d be ripping your hair out,” Mr Hockey said on Friday.
From August 1, fuel excise will rise by 0.5¢ every six months in line with inflation. The excise has been frozen at 38.1¢ since 2001.
World oil prices have leapt to their highest level in nearly nine months due to concern that the unrest in Iraq will disrupt supplies from the Middle East.
Meanwhile, a poll taken during the One Big Switch campaign has shown that half of those surveyed were less likely to vote for Tony Abbott since the fuel tax hike was announced.
The survey questioned participants in the campaign, which is a News Corp Australia and One Big Switch initiative aiming to use combined buying power to entice a retailer to offer a 5 per cent discount on prepaid petrol cards.
More tthan 93, 0000 have signed up to the campain which started this month.
Six in 10 participants don’t support the hike, even if it helps to balance the national Budget.
Nearly 30 per cent said they would need to cut back on essentials to afford it.
“They have no control over the rising cost and the daily fluctuations and they feel like their local petrol station is holding them to ransom,” One Big Switch campaign director Joel Gibson said.
“So voters of all stripes are now venting that frustration on the federal government for proposing to bring back petrol excise indexation.”
FAIRER FUEL PRICES: JOIN THE BIG PETROL SWITCH
HOW THE CAMPAIGN WORKS:
1. You register at moneysaverhq.com.au. It takes only a few moments, costs nothing and you are not obliged to take up any offers.
2. One Big Switch negotiates. The goal is to convert the combined buying power of tens of thousands of consumers into a 5 per cent group discount on petrol.
3. You decide. One Big Switch will email you any offers and you can take them up if you choose to.
What is The Big Petrol Switch?
It is a national campaign to unlock a group discount on petrol of 5 per cent-7.5c/L.
Which fuel types would be covered?
Our aim is to unlock a discount on all types of fuel with a single provider. You would buy a prepaid card and get extra credit on the card because of the exclusive bulk discount to spend on whatever you liked at the chain of petrol stations.
Will I be able to use the card at a station near me?
It’s a national campaign and we are talking to the biggest petrol providers so hopefully most of those who join will receive an offer from a station nearby. You are under no obligation to take up any offers if the provider is not conveniently located.
Could I use a shopper docket as well?
We hope any offer we can unlock will be another weapon in the fight against rising petrol prices. We will make it clear how any discount card interacts with other available discounts once the offer is finalised.
Would the prepaid card expire?
This and other details will be subject to discussions with the provider, but we will argue against prepaid cards with a short expiry date.
Will The Big Petrol Switch benefit from this campaign?
Neither The Big Petrol Switch, One Big Switch nor News Corp Australia will receive a commission if you take up an offer as a result of this campaign.
What’s to stop the retailer providing the offer from inflating prices to cover the discount?
The retailer would still have to compete for the business of all those who don’t have a discount card.
Originally published as There are days when one in three Australians can’t afford petrol, Canstar Blue survey finds
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