Vic: Easter petrol prices soar

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2001
Vic: Easter petrol prices soar

MELBOURNE, April 12 AAP - Oil companies are "profiteering" as Victorian motorists face
petrol hikes of 11 cents a litre leading into the Easter break, according to the state's
peak motoring group.

RACV spokesman David Cumming today said petrol prices had jumped overnight and were
now hovering just under $1 a litre for unleaded fuel.

"They've (oil companies) looked at the calendar this week and realised it is Good Friday,"

Mr Cumming told AAP.

"No doubt they're profiteering leading into Easter ... you could say the companies
will defend themselves as part of the normal price cycle, but they're not giving motorists
any cheap fuel heading into Easter," he said.

However, while the prices have soared, Mr Cumming was confident they would not rise
above $1 a litre for unleaded fuel.

"The companies will keep it under a dollar, no matter what ... they believe there is
a psychological problem there," he said.

The overnight price rises were evident across Melbourne and in major regional centres,
such as Geelong.

AAP db/gfr/gmw

KEYWORD: EASTER PETROL VIC

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