In recent weeks, Ballarat residents have again exposed the large disparity between petrol prices in our city compared to other regional centres and stations in our region.

Clearly, there is a distinct price hike in parts of Ballarat which cannot be explained by source or distribution costs.

The Courier travelled across the region on Tuesday and discovered stations in Sturt Street in Ballarat were more expensive than Elaine, Buninyong, Ballan and other areas across Ballarat.

While the average price along Sturt Street was about $1.42 a litre for standard unleaded petrol, other service stations had their petrol hovering at about $1.30 a litre.

Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson on Wednesday said a new directive would help ensure prices at the bowser were more closely scrutinised.

According to Mr Billson: “We need to understand what’s at play there, examine whether there are any irregularities or any mischief at play.

“Where there are some irregularities, something that seems not quite right and that’s to the detriment to motorists, we can have a closer examination of it.” It doesn’t take new regulation or powers to know that something is amiss and deserving of greater scrutiny.

They could just talk to Ballarat motorists who are feeling the impact each and every day.

The problem all along is that the ACCC has been either unable, or disinterested, in taking action – and we’ve heard the story about beefed up powers all before.

What is required is action – more resources and smarter operations to crack down on price fixing if and when it occurs.

The ACCC needs to come good on its promise or remain a toothless tiger within the government’s regulatory regime.

The Courier urges the ACCC to use Ballarat as a case study to explore just what can be achieved within its newly-won powers.

Ballarat motorists certainly deserve at least this much.