A service station in Victoria has been accused of dramatically hiking its diesel price while several cars queued up at the bowser.
In a TikTok that has racked up more than 1.4 million views, a Shell service station in Melbourne is seen allegedly raising its diesel price from 157.9 cents per litre to 192.9 cents — a 35-cent increase.
The man filming says two of the station’s diesel pumps were out of order before staff changed the price.
“I can’t believe how shifty these c***s are, bro,” he said.
“You know what this bloke’s just done? He’s come out and put two special diesel pumps out of order, they’re not working.
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“And now he’s gone back inside, and he’s jacking up the price of special diesel to make up for the fact that two pumps aren’t running.”
Footage posted online shows a line of cars waiting to fill up as the price board is adjusted.
The video has gone viral as drivers across Australia grow increasingly anxious about the nation’s fuel supply amid the raging conflict in the Middle East.
There have been reports motorists are being accused of hoarding fuel, while some petrol stations in regional Australia are reportedly rationing petrol purchases to as little as $20 per customer.
Meanwhile, new fuel price rules have come into force in Victoria aimed at giving drivers greater certainty over petrol costs.
Under the changes, service stations across the state must publicly report their fuel prices a day before they come into effect.
More than 1500 fuel retailers will be required to submit the maximum price for each fuel type for the following day.
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Prices will be locked in by 2pm, meaning servos will not be able to change them again until the next day.
The new rule came into effect this week, and stations that breach it can face on-the-spot fines of more than $3000. If taken to court, penalties could exceed $24,000 as well as convictions.
Other states could consider similar measures as petrol prices climb, with some areas reportedly nearing $3 per litre.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has urged motorists not to panic buy fuel, saying Australia’s supply remains secure.
“I can say that our diesel and petrol supplies remain at this point secure,” Mr Bowen told reporters at Parliament House.
“We have as much diesel in Australia today as we had before this crisis began, and the stock obligation, which the companies are legally required to meet, remains at 32 days.
“We are seeing a big increase in demand, particularly for diesel, and I understand why Australians are concerned.
“But my key message is that every single expected arrival of diesel supply in recent days and expected in coming days and weeks has arrived on schedule as expected.
“There is no need for panic buying.”
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With farmers struggling to get their hands on diesel, Mr Bowen also acknowledged a “great deal of concern” for those being left high and dry.
“Farmers in particular, who, because of the situation with the supply chain in regional Australia, are having difficulty getting diesel”.
“But I do need to emphasise this is a huge spike in demand, not an impact on supply at this point,” he said.
