Yes I know petrol is to expensive, and you are right.  Something should be done about it.   I'm crook on it.

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And the only thing that CAN be done about it, is something YOU'D object to....

The only possible ways to cut the price of petrol in this country would be either for the Government to 'nationalise' ALL petrol production by taking over ALL the oil wells and oil companies, or by bringing back the old "Prices Surveillance Act 1983"...
Both of which people would scream 'Socialism' about....

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It might be socialism, but what exactly is the downside?

(apart from the actual act of nationalising the industry in the first place)

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Back in the 'old days'...when I was a teen....there used to be Government employees who were the ONLY people who could change the price per litre(or gallon) on the pumps at the servos.....and THAT only happened once or maybe twice per month.....rather than 2, 3 or 4 times a week....

Back in those days, the petrol companies, like Mobil, Shell etc....had to apply to the Federal Government for permission to change the petrol price...

In fact, when the original 'Gulf War' started, in 1990 or 1991....the petrol company reps arrived in Canberra at 7am (on the day Saddam invaded Kuwait) requesting permission to increase the price by 5c per litre.....

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So I've noticed.

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I don't know when that was, but my parents owned service stations in NSW during the late 60's and 70's and they changed their own pump prices at the direction of company (in their case, Ampol). At random someone would come from the wholesaler to check the prices or someone from the govt would come to check the pump accuracy.

I'll post an old dated email I recieved on petrol pricing . Just for interest "\

A call to all politicians: If you are not a traitor to Australia,
then bring in a bill to abolish WORLD PARITY PRICING of oil.

Today [May 28] in parliament Malcolm Turnbull tried to wax lyrical
about the beauties  of competition. He praised the lowering of tariffs
on imported goods,[many of which come from slave-labour countries] and
he said that any business had the right to change prices at any time.

Logically, he should have gone on to condemn the policy which is
bringing hardship to our poor families - the wretched policy
of WORLD PARITY PRICING of oil.

Why should Australians be charged for their own oil at the same price
as in Singapore, or the controlled markets of the Middle East?

So, Malcolm Turnbull, if you are genuine and logical, then bring in
a bill to allow free competition in oil-pricing, and get us out of the
straight-jacket of World Parity Pricing before that treacherous policy
destroys more and more businesses and families.

How can oil company profits rise when they are paying more for oil?

Does a baker derive greater profits when he has to pay more for his flour?
How come the oil companies' profits just keep going up and up, despite the
cost of their raw material -- oil -- going through the roof?

My conclusion is that they are not any different from their favourite
bedmates -- the kosher banksters -- who profiteer from everybody else's
misery.

Have a  look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_usage_and_pricing

Venezuela sells to the motorist at 5c US per litre.

So, this info is also available to Oz radio talk show hosts, but I can't
imagine anyone of them starting the program with guest Mr Rudd or Mr
Turnbull, "The price of unleaded in Venezuela is 5cUS per litre and though
they have 100% self sufficency, we have 80% self sufficiency in liquid
hydrocarbons and natural gas, why then do we pay $1.50 per litre? Would
10c be a fairer price ?".

To verify that Australia is 80% self-sufficient go to
http://www.csiro.au/science/ps115.html

Also, some material published by government sources says we are 85%
self-sufficient in fuels.

What's especially amazing is that natural gas, as well as coal, can be
converted into liquid hydrocarbon fuel for vehicles.

The media clowns prattle on about whether GST should be removed from the
price per litre as it is a tax on a tax and would shave 3c off, and now,
it seems Mr Rudd is not in good odour for renegging on this tiny amount
which they had earlier mooted favourably.

No broadcaster has ever said anything worthwhile, so far as I know. Were
s/he to, it would be the last cushy job s/he would ever hold, seems to me.

How about "Caracas' price at the pumps!" as a slogan for a independent
candidate at a by-election?  But he might then meet with an accident.

It is has been reported that the cost for producing/winning/pumping a
barrel of Bass Strait crude oil is in the vicinity of $5 or $6.
And we (Oz) produce 80% of domestic needs.
Therefore, may I ask, WHO receives the difference between the $6 and the
$130+ (current price for a BBL of crude)

Does anyone know?