FuelClub Discount

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has flown into Japan to try to turn the tension with his Japanese counterpart Yasuo Fukuda into a new partnership to tackle climate change, broaden security ties and “apply the blowtorch” to oil cartel OPEC to force it to increase production.

Mr Rudd urged the coming G8 meeting - which Mr Fukuda will chair next month in northern Hokkaido - to pressure OPEC to increase oil supplies and drive down prices. Prices for oil futures hit a new record of $US138.54 on Friday, up $US16.50 in two days and prompting warnings that petrol prices in Australia could reach $A1.70 a litre within days.

Interviewed on television before leaving Australia, Mr Rudd dodged a question on the potential impact of emissions trading on petrol prices, but promised that the Government would provide support to “families under financial pressure” to offset the additional costs they will face from higher energy prices.
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The walkout was announced after the collapse in talks between Unite and two companies who deliver fuel to Shell.

As a result around 1,000 forecourts could be starved of fuel unless a deal can be brokered next week by the arbitration service, ACAS.

Although Shell owns only 10 per cent of forecourts across the country, there are fears that the strike threat could trigger another wave of panic-buying.

Unite, which is representing 641 drivers working for Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, has submitted a demand for a 13.2 per cent pay increase.
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As you drive your car and stare at the petrol gauge, you can take heart that you are not the only one hurting from rising fuel prices.

It has affected the car industry itself in a way that may see the end of cars as we know them.

The change is making its presence felt in America, where people have always embraced the big petrol engine. But it seems its days are numbered.

One of the world’s biggest car manufacturers, General Motors, has announced it is closing four of its plants because of the increasing price of fuel.
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The rise in fuel prices is unjust and straining family finances, but it will not force car-reliant Brits from their vehicles.

Over half (55%) of 2,663 Sky News Panel members said they had been forced to cut back on their general spending because of the soaring prices at the pumps.

But under a third (32%) said they were making up for the climbing petrol cost by driving less.
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The European Union (EU) antitrust regulator launched an in-depth probe on Wednesday into Norwegian oil company Statoil Hydro’s bid for Jet petrol stations in Scandinavia.

“The Commission’s initial market investigation has indicated that the proposed merger raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the Single Market as it appears that it could limit competition on the motor fuel retail markets in Sweden and Norway,” the European Commission said in a statement.

“Rising oil prices make it even more important that consumers continue to benefit from competition at retail level,” said EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
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The world’s biofuel industry is being accused of driving up world food prices and causing instability and starvation in developing nations.

Here in Australia, the Federal Departments of Agriculture and Resources are conducting their own review of the industry, due later this year.

But Peter Anderton, the chief executive of biofuel manufacturer, AgriEnergy Limited, claims the government could fix the industry’s problems by changing just one piece of legislation to make it more competitive.

“At the moment, ethanol is restricted to ten per cent in Australia,” he said.
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