In a time when every dollar counts, Australians face a new kind of sticker shock. It’s not at luxury stores or high-end restaurants—it’s happening in the most unexpected place, and people are demanding answers.
The recent revelation of exorbitant grocery prices at a rural service station has left many Australians reeling. This petrol station has come under fire for allegedly being a ‘dirty rip off’ after shocking price tags on items—prices that are double or quadruple what one would pay at major supermarkets.
Consumers face a staggering $22 price tag for a carton of juice that’s usually sold at $5.50, while a packet of salt and vinegar chips is selling for $10—twice the price found at major supermarkets.
Similarly, a box of cheddar-flavoured Shapes is priced at $9, more than double the cost at Coles, where it’s currently on sale for just $2.
The incident, which unfolded at a BP truck stop in the remote Western Australian town of Norseman, has sparked a wave of indignation across social media platforms. The local Facebook group where the prices were first shared became a hotbed of disbelief and anger. ‘Disgraceful,’ ‘greedy,’ and ‘daylight robbery’ were just some of the terms used by outraged commenters.
‘Be aware, [prices are] only set to climb higher and higher,’ noted one local.
But this isn’t just a one-off instance of price gouging in a remote location. It’s symptomatic of a broader issue that’s hitting Australians hard in the wallet. Grocery prices have been surging nationwide, with research from Compare the Market indicating that the average household will be shelling out an additional $1,000 per year on groceries.
That’s an 11 per cent increase in just one year, a significant burden on families already struggling to balance their budgets.
‘It doesn’t matter what aisle you’re walking down—price hikes are coming from almost every direction at the supermarket. The cost of everyday items like coffee and chocolate [has] surged due to supply issues, making it hard for [Australians] to avoid the sting,’ said Sarah Orr of Compare the Market.
In Western Australia alone, research showed that the weekly grocery spend has jumped by about $36 year-on-year.
The situation is even more dire in remote areas, where residents are feeling the pinch most acutely. Consumer advocacy group Choice conducted mystery shopping in remote First Nations communities and found that the cost of a basket of nine ‘essential’ items was more than double that of major cities. In some regions, the price was even higher, with the same items costing over $110.
The disparity in grocery prices between remote communities and urban centres is a stark reminder of the inequality that persists in Australia. Remote Aboriginal communities, in particular, face a lack of services that ‘mainstream Australians take for granted.’ The limited availability of healthy, affordable food options is reportedly a glaring example of this inequity.
Financial counsellors like Bettina Cooper, a Boandik woman, highlight the lack of choice in these communities, saying, ‘When we’re travelling to remote communities there’s often only one choice of a local store. So whatever price is there is the price you pay.’
Recognising the severity of the issue, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to peg the prices of essential goods in remote food stores to city prices, covering 30 essential products in more than 76 remote stores. This initiative aims to tackle the access to affordable food in remote communities and mitigate the health impacts that food insecurity can cause, such as cardiovascular and kidney disease.
As Australians grapple with these economic challenges, the outcry over the Norseman BP’s pricing serves as a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that while the convenience of a service station might be tempting, especially in remote areas, consumers must remain vigilant about where they shop and the prices they’re willing to pay.
At YourLifeChoices, we understand the importance of budgeting and managing expenses, especially for those over 50 who may be on fixed incomes. Have you encountered similar price hikes in your area? How do you manage your grocery budget in these trying times? Join the conversation below.
Also read: Supermarkets and big retailers to face fines in proposed anti-price gouging plan
Talking of ripoffs a few years ago I could buy a bottle of Bundy rum at local Dan Murphys for about $48. Were were travelling and the price of same rum in Birdsville was $95. (it’s remote so I guiess that is OK.) We were at Timber Creek the same year and I thought I would stock up. Try $145. This pub is on the side of a main road in the NT. I walked out.