Price of diesel in SE Qld

Yep
Truck operaters get a rebate from the gov if the truck is over 22.5t gvm, and is calculated on a per liter basis.

Even though the truckies get a gov't rebate, I bet like any business they are keen to lower their operating costs and the cost of diesel for these guys is very significant. I've been involved recently in prototype development of LNG system for C-15 Caterpillar engines in prime movers. The fleet operators are looking at this as a means of reducing their fuel bill, with huge savings to be had (~$500k pa per vehicle).

The point of all this is to say that I think the truck lobby groups are very active in their efforts to lower diesel price (even though they get the rebate). Given the impact of fuel cost flows on to the cost of goods transported, inflation, etc you'd think there would be big pressure to keep this low. So even with such lobby power (more than us low consumption consumers) the price seems to remain high. Fact is though that the Gov't signed up to fix diesel pricing based on Singapore rate as part of some global trade deal. Even though, I still cannot understand why diesel is more expensive when in Europe it isn't. Just seems to me that us Aussies are mere minnows in the global economy, and we all know what happens to minnows.....

Hugh

adding to the follow up
We can apply to get a 18.5c litre rebate for deisel but we have to provide proof.
this rebate has been the same for 5 years (that I know of)
there wil be a few people there reading this thinking I wish I cuold get some of that 18.5c action,and cheap fuel is for us(owner drivers)
here is a comparison on feul prices going off my invioces

pump price,less rebate,total (inc gst)

1/mar/01 .86 .18 .68 cent p/litre
1/mar/05 1.03 .18 .85
1/mar/06 1.22 .18 1.04
27/july/06 1.31 .18 1.13
13/sept/06 1.30 .18 1.12 (using round numbers)

deisel for the ordinary motorist has gone up 44cents since 3/01
diesel for the transport indurty has gone up

wait for it

wait for it
yep 44 cents (as of 14/9/06)
feul rebate is nothin' new to us
the gst the fed gov gets (in2001) = appox 8c p/l
the gst they get now = aprox 13c p/l
the're in no hurry to do any thing about the price cos to more it goes up the more revenue goes to them

When comparing prices from 12months ago don't forget to take into account the US-AUS dollar exchange rate as this will also effect the actual price us aussies pay for the barrel.

Hope you know what I mean.
Trevor.

No probs mate, found a real good site on biodiesel www.biedo.org.au and there here in the South Burnett. Some good ideas on processing biodiesel. And they are going to start making it themselves I believe, also biogass.
They are doing a rally from Monto to Kingaroy on Nov23, they hope to have 20 vehicles all run on biofuels, am going to get more info on it.
Cheers Bruce