errrr its taxEs.

And from the article its probably just tax, as they dont seem to have three
or four lots of  direct TAXES as we do here - resource rent tax, fuel
excise, GST and State based fuel levies - there's no doubt more hidden away
such as Dangerous Goods Licence fee, Fire Brigade inspection charge, land
tax/rates, payroll tax, anything else come to mind?

Indeed. They're screaming about paying half the price we are paying
(imperial vs US galls taken into account). It;s an interesting exercise. Did
our Gov (Hawkey from memory) put an ever increasing levy to maintain "world
parity" code for ripp-off, or to get an ever increasing bounty?

The cost of fuel has far more reaching effects e.g. cost of food due truck
fuel cost inceases. This burden is chucked onto pensioners and other
low-income earners at the shop who may not even have a car (they use public
transport I suspose), is that fair?

The kernel of the issue is the inherant unfairness of the tax-system on
fuel. If they want us to pay a tax to stop us wasting fuel, which is how one
polly put it back in the Hawke govt IIRC, then *make sure* any "windfall"
tax gains do not double dip us at the food supermarkets.

Make no mistake, "battlers" will start avoiding large cars if it keeps
going, and its become apparent the Arabs have finally learned it's a limited
resource, hence their resistance to increasing output. Surprised it took
this long.

From site:

"I think we've finally come closer, if not reached, a tipping point where
gasoline prices are affecting people's behavior," said Bill Leonard, a
member of the Board of Equalization. One evidence is the slight decrease in
gasoline consumption for the past couple of years, he said"
This is one good outcome from the whole thing.

Jason

.

I've know for almost 18 years now they tax fuel. Use home
heating oil in your diesel - and get caught.... Different
colour additives though. That is how they tell.