Australian fuel surge pushes independent truckers towards collapse
Fuel prices across Australia have surged despite adequate supply, putting severe financial pressure on independent truck drivers and threatening the viability of the freight industry. Diesel reached an average of A$2.76 per litre and petrol A$2.34, prompting some operators to stop driving because current freight rates no longer cover their costs.
Drivers say fuel prices have risen sharply following the removal of a fuel-excise discount and disruption to a key Middle Eastern oil pipeline. Industry representatives warn that small operators are bearing losses across fuel, maintenance, insurance and wages, while the opposition has proposed temporarily halving fuel excise when crude prices remain above US$100 a barrel; the measure could cost nearly A$1 billion a month.
- Australian fuel prices are squeezing truck drivers’ profits.
- Some owner-drivers are parking or retiring their trucks.
- The Coalition proposes a temporary fuel-excise reduction.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Truck driver with decades on the road sounds the alarm on the freight industry as fuel prices spike around Australia again: ‘Never seen it like this’”.