Petrol prices will rise by more than 22c a litre from next month, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers stands firm against growing pressure to extend the fuel excise cut beyond September.

But the Opposition is divided on the fuel excise, as some MPs openly call for the cut to be extended while the others remain staunchly opposed.

It follows Opposition leader Peter Dutton launching a surprise attack on the end date of the excise reduction – set by the Morrison Government – earlier in the week.

There are fears a shortage of taxis on Mackay and Whitsunday roads is driving stranded partygoers to make decisions with dire consequences.

A lack of available transport, particular at night, is a dire issue in what Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson says it “not a good image” for the region.

And there are concerns it could be behind the number of alcohol-related deaths on our roads already this year.

Residents of the wealthy electorates targeted by “teal” independents are leading the transition to electric vehicles, fuelling calls for them to face a similar tax burden to those driving petrol-powered cars.

There were at least 200 Teslas on the road in the Victorian seats of Kooyong, Higgins, Melbourne and Macnamara as of January 31, according to a Herald Sun analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
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In NSW, there were 420 Teslas in Wentworth, 309 in North Sydney, and at least 200 in Bradfield, Sydney and ­Warringah.

A Bellarine Peninsula resident has labelled the region’s taxi services as “unreliable” and claimed he has been left waiting for a booked taxi for more than an hour.

Robert Drummond, who lives at Connewarre, has been unable to drive since he started experiencing balance issues late last year.

Mr Drummond regularly visits his long-term partner, Patricia, who lives in an Armstrong Creek aged care centre.
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He said he routinely experiences issues with ride share services and taxis, with drivers not wanting to travel to the Bellarine or failing to arrive on time despite being booked.

THE taxi business is still a tough business despite some industry leaders saying the tide has turned in its favour.

City Beat spoke to Black & White Cabs chief executive Greg Webb who noted the industry was fighting back successfully from Covid-19 and the impact from Uber and other rideshare apps. Webb says owner drivers could earn up to $20,000 a month as the industry recovered. But one retired driver says good taxi drivers are lucky to make $10,000 amid a 90 per cent plummet in the value of taxi licences. 

Owners of electric cars are cashing in on demand for battery-powered vehicles following a spike in fuel prices.

Second-hand prices for in-demand electric cars can outstrip new prices by $30,000 or more as green customers look to jump the queue for a new car.

Lloyds Auctions reports that second-hand examples of the Tesla Model 3 are selling for more than their new price.

Lee Hames, chief operations officer for Lloyds Auctions, said the Model 3 sells for about $68,000, and that buyers had already bid up to $73,000 in an online auction with several hours to go.