Western Australia launches one-time fuel relief scheme

Sydney (2 July)

The Western Australia (WA) Government has launched its Fuel Support Payment scheme to provide a single A$100 cost-of-living relief payment to 2.3 million drivers across the state, it said on 1 July.

The state’s scheme supports residents with WA-issued driver’s licenses, but not those with licenses from other states or territories, according to the Government. Drivers can opt to take the payment or donate it to charity.

“This payment is about immediate cost-of-living relief and helping with the pressures faced by families, workers, students, and retirees across the State,” Jessica Stojkovski, a WA cabinet minister, said.

“We also know many Western Australians are passionate about supporting their communities, which is why claimants have the option to donate their payment,” Stojkovski added.

WA’s average retail petrol and diesel prices rose in March because of the US-Israeli war in Iran. But they have since declined to pre-war levels because of Brent crude price movements and fuel excise cuts.

Unleaded petrol prices in WA’s metropolitan regions averaged A$1.64/litre on 1 July, down from A$1.65/litre in February and A$2.23/litre in March, data from price monitor FuelWatch show. Diesel prices similarly averaged A$1.79/litre on 1 July, down from $1.81/litre in February and A$2.59/litre in March, FuelWatch data show.

WA’s average retail fuel prices could rise over the next few days. The Australian Government lifted the country’s fuel excise rate from A$0.21/litre to A$0.37/litre on 1 July, as part of a plan to wind back its fuel excise cut.

But this may be temporary. Brent crude futures prices – which influence refined fuel prices – fell to pre-Iran war levels for the first time on 1 July. Futures traded at $71.33/barrel on 1 July, down from $72.87/barrel on 27 February, immediately before the Iran war began.

By Avinash Govind