Retail News CRM

Tag: motorists

  • Prime Minister Albanese Extends Petrol Price Relief for Australian Motorists Amid Middle East Crisis

    Prime Minister Albanese Extends Petrol Price Relief for Australian Motorists Amid Middle East Crisis

    The Australian government has announced plans to further alleviate the financial strain on motorists impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is expected to confirm that the nation’s petrol price relief measures will be extended.

    Australia, heavily reliant on imported fuel, has taken decisive action to mitigate the impact of soaring global oil prices on its citizens. In response to significant disruption to oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, the country reduced its petrol tax for motorists by half and slashed a levy for truck drivers in March. These interim measures, set to expire at the end of June, will now be prolonged for another month, offering some financial respite for drivers throughout July.

    Government’s Commitment to Economic Relief

    Prime Minister Albanese’s decision underlines the government’s commitment to providing economic relief to those affected by the international crisis. “We are cognizant of the continued pressures our citizens face,” Albanese noted in a pre-emptive statement, due to be publicly released soon. The extension of these measures offers a tangible reflection of the government’s efforts to support its citizens during these challenging times.

    Questions & Answers

    What measures has the Australian government taken to alleviate financial pressures on motorists?
    The government has halved the petrol tax for motorists and reduced a levy for truck drivers.

    Why were these measures introduced?
    These measures were introduced in response to rising global oil prices, caused by significant disruption to oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz.

    Until when will these relief measures be available?
    Originally set to expire at the end of June, these measures will now be extended through the end of July.

  • Korean motorists pay high oil taxes

    Korean motorists pay high oil taxes

    South Korean motorists pay much higher oil taxes than their counterparts in the United States and Japan, a report said Monday, sparking calls for the government to lower them.

    According to the report by online crude price provider Opinet, gasoline prices in South Korea averaged 1,455 won ($1.28) per liter in December last year, with taxes accounting for 62.3 percent of the price, or 905.75 won.

    In January, the proportion of taxes dropped to 60 percent in line with rising gasoline prices.South Korea imposes a flat sum of three different taxes on petroleum products, including transportation-energy-environment and education taxes. Also added are an import levy of 16 won per liter, a tariff equivalent to 3 percent of crude prices and a value added tax amounting to 10 percent of the retail price.

    An industry source said that the percentage of taxes to gasoline prices has remained in the 60 percent range since 2014, when international crude prices entered into a low-price phase.

    Taxes account for a far greater share of retail gasoline prices in South Korea than in the U.S. and Japan. In November, the portion of taxes stood at 61.5 percent for South Korea, while comparable figures were 52.9 percent for Japan and 20.9 percent for America.

    Some experts call on the government to reduce oil taxes that are “excessive and irrational,” which they claim has resulted in mass production of ersatz oil products.

    Others argue that the current oil tax system should remain intact because South Korea relies entirely on imports for its oil needs and a cut would run counter to government efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and fine dust.

    The government has started research on revising the current oil tax system, but a finance ministry official said nothing has been determined yet.