Latest news with #RACQ
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Calls for major road rule 'rethink' as fines in Aussie state rise to $1,250
One of Australia's leading road safety bodies is calling on the Queensland government to "rethink" how we ensure "motorists who break the road rules are held accountable", on the first day the state's new increased road fines come into effect. The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) Head of Public Policy, Dr Michael Kane, said drivers need to "feel they will get caught" if they decide to do the wrong thing and that the consequences will be "significant". "Increasing fines over the past five years clearly hasn't worked to improve road safety," he told Yahoo News Australia. "The choice to deliberately break road rules and drive illegally is killing and seriously injuring too many people." From Tuesday, July 1, the Queensland government fines rose by 3.5 per cent, with the standard penalty unit increased to $166.90. It'll now mean anyone caught speeding up to 10 kilometres per hour over the speed limit will cop a $333 fine — a rise of $11 from last year, and anyone caught wearing their seatbelt incorrectly or using their phone behind the wheel will face a $1,250 infringement, up $42. Those who disobey stop signs or fail to give way to a pedestrian will face a $500 fine, an increase of $17 from the last financial year. Drivers who are travelling more than 40km/h over the speed limit will cop a massive $1,918 fine, increasing by $65 from previous rates. The increase in fines and forfeitures is anticipated to generate $850 million in the 2025-26 budget. Last year's budget had flagged revenue of $794m in the 2024-25 financial year, increasing from the $741m the year before. The annual increase in the state is tied to a default rate of 3.5 per cent to ensure penalties maintain their deterrent effect over time. By law, the government can only raise fines by the default rate unless Treasurer David Janetzki approves a different increase by the end of March, which didn't happen this year. The rate is built into legislation to provide a consistent and predictable framework for fine adjustments without requiring frequent government intervention. Queensland recorded a grisly, 15-year high road toll in 2024 of 303 deaths. Kane said the government must do more to combat the crisis. "RACQ put forward a suite of recommended reforms to the State Government to urgently reverse the number of people dying and rein in speeding," he said. Warning ahead of major change coming to Australian roads Surprise mobile speed camera trend amid increased monitoring Driver's bizarre number plate prompts $933 fine warning "The Club is calling for an increase in highly visible on-road police and more point-to-point speed cameras in high-crash zones. "RACQ is also advocating for the expansion of existing impoundment laws to target the state's most dangerous drivers by including a broader range of speeding and drink and drug driving offences. The State Government must focus on strengthening law and order on the roads through deterrents, enforcement, and improving driver behaviour." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Age
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Age
‘Doesn't add up': RACQ slams unfair Brisbane petrol price hikes
Brisbane drivers are being urged to fill up the tank now as unleaded petrol prices hike by almost 60 per cent per litre at some service stations. Fuel companies in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast are currently increasing unleaded prices from a low of 160 cents per litre to a high of 219.9 cents per litre. RACQ head of public policy Dr Michael Kane said despite impacts from Israel-Iran conflict and the local price cycle, retail margins were far too high compared with other parts of the country. 'We're currently in the price-hike phase of the fuel cycle and while we usually see prices jump, an almost 60¢ hike is unjustified and unfair,' he said. 'We're seeing a lot of blame for these higher prices fall on international factors, like the conflict in the Middle East and volatile global oil prices, but these haven't led to a significant increase in wholesale fuel prices, so the massive spike at the bowser doesn't add up.' Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has written to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission calling for the watchdog to monitor for potential price gouging at the bowser by operators. Petrol prices have been fluctuating following uncertainty in the Middle East with Iran and Israel trading air strikes and the US bombing Iranian nuclear facilities. 'We don't want to see service stations do the wrong thing by Australian motorists,' he told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Sydney Morning Herald
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Doesn't add up': RACQ slams unfair Brisbane petrol price hikes
Brisbane drivers are being urged to fill up the tank now as unleaded petrol prices hike by almost 60 per cent per litre at some service stations. Fuel companies in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast are currently increasing unleaded prices from a low of 160 cents per litre to a high of 219.9 cents per litre. RACQ head of public policy Dr Michael Kane said despite impacts from Israel-Iran conflict and the local price cycle, retail margins were far too high compared with other parts of the country. 'We're currently in the price-hike phase of the fuel cycle and while we usually see prices jump, an almost 60¢ hike is unjustified and unfair,' he said. 'We're seeing a lot of blame for these higher prices fall on international factors, like the conflict in the Middle East and volatile global oil prices, but these haven't led to a significant increase in wholesale fuel prices, so the massive spike at the bowser doesn't add up.' Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has written to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission calling for the watchdog to monitor for potential price gouging at the bowser by operators. Petrol prices have been fluctuating following uncertainty in the Middle East with Iran and Israel trading air strikes and the US bombing Iranian nuclear facilities. 'We don't want to see service stations do the wrong thing by Australian motorists,' he told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Petrol price warning after sudden 60 cents a litre price hike: 'Unjustified'
Australian drivers are being warned to fill up their cars now as unleaded petrol prices soar by almost 60 cents per litre at stations in some parts of the country. Servos have been put on notice over fuel price spikes and warned not to take advantage of drivers as the Israel-Iran conflict causes volatility. Fuel companies in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast are currently increasing unleaded prices from a low of 160 cents per litre to a high of 219.9 cents per litre, according to RACQ. It's the highest prices have been in the southeast of the state for nearly 12 months. RACQ head of public policy Dr Michael Kane said taking into account all market factors, the group would expect prices to spike at an absolute maximum of 207 or 209 cents per litre. RELATED Price hike warning for Aussies travelling to Europe as US-Iran tensions escalate ATO $1,519 cash boost heading for Aussies in weeks Centrelink payment alert for 58,000 Aussies in caravans 'We're currently in the price hike phase of the fuel cycle and while we usually see prices jump, an almost 60 cent hike is unjustified and unfair,' Kane said. 'We're seeing a lot of blame for these higher prices fall on international factors, like the conflict in the Middle East and volatile global oil prices, but these haven't led to a significant increase in wholesale fuel prices, so the massive spike at the bowser doesn't add up. 'Fuel companies in the southeast have a lot to answer for, with some retail margins as high as 52 cents a litre.'Retail fuel prices in Australia are largely determined by global factors influencing international crude oil and refined fuel prices, along with the value of the Australian-US dollar exchange rate, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Local factors such as the level of competition can also affect retail prices. Cities follow different petrol price cycles, with the consumer watchdog noting that prices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth were decreasing or facing the bottom of the cycle. In comparison, prices in Brisbane are increasing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers wrote to the consumer watchdog on Tuesday requesting it to be on the lookout for petrol stations using the tensions in the Middle East as an excuse to 'opportunistically' hike petrol prices by more than necessary. Chalmers noted that global oil prices had been pushed up by more than 25 per cent since the start of June from around $62 per barrel to around $79 at the start of the week, before moderating following the ceasefire announcement. "We don't want to see service stations do the wrong thing by Australian motorists,' Chalmers said. "We want to make sure that the market is operating effectively when it comes to the petrol price and what's happening with this volatility in the global oil price, but we call on the service stations to do the right thing by their customers.' Oil prices dropped following the Israel-Iran ceasefire, with Brent crude futures down 5 per cent to $US67.90 a barrel. NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury has warned fuel prices were likely to increase, but not by as much as some fear. On average, he said drivers were likely to pay about 8 cents more a litre at the bowser. RACQ said cheaper fuel was still available at around 50 per cent of service stations in Brisbane and 60 per cent on the Gold Coast. The group has urged motorists in the region to fill up their tanks now and aim to pay 170 cents per litre or less for regular unleaded. 'Do not go into the weekend with an empty tank, fill up now, and support the service stations that haven't hiked their prices yet,' Kane in to access your portfolio
7NEWS
05-06-2025
- 7NEWS
Queenslanders reveal most tiresome traveller habits in new study
As the days quickly cool down, many Australians are fleeing the country for a mid-year getaway in warmer climates. Whether you're a seasoned flyer or a newbie to the skies, a new study has revealed you may be annoying your fellow passengers — whether you know it or not. A new statewide consumer survey by RACQ travel insurance asked almost 500 Queenslanders to nominate their 'biggest air travel pet peeves', and the overwhelming consensus was good travel etiquette should be prioritised. The most frustrating behaviour according to 67.2 per cent of respondents was travellers being inconsiderate of other people's personal space. The second biggest pet peeve was travellers reclining their seats on a short haul flight, followed by the mad rush to exit the plane as soon as it has landed — with respondents rating these behaviours as moderately to very frustrating. Sunrise reporter Georgia Costi hit the streets of the Gold Coast to discover the biggest travel peeves for both locals and tourists and how they compared to the survey. One Gold Coast local said their pet peeve was people who stand too close to the baggage claim area. '(They) block the space, it's so annoying,' they said. Another person complained body odour can turn the start of a dream holiday into a nightmare. 'I once sat next to someone who was very, very enhanced in their BO,' they said. RACQ Travel spokesperson Ashleigh Paterson said Queenslanders have to work together to ensure a positive travel experience. 'Whether it's a long haul or short haul flight, it's clear Queenslanders are increasingly frustrated by subtle, and not so subtle, travelling quirks,' she said. Paterson said planning ahead increases the chances of a seamless experience, with 47.3 per cent of travellers rating preparation as the most important item on a holiday checklist. Stream free on
