Same in WA - we have 2 independent retailers (both of whom are interstate - Gull and Puma) who compete against Caltex, Shell and BP. They are usually 10-20c cheaper every day (even before the prices went down) than the big players and its still the same. And in metro Perth, prices in various suburbs vary by 15c-25c with the large players.
Diesel is about 20c dearer at the cheapest station, even though I understand (and I stand to be corrected) that when they fractionate crude oil, diesel is one of the 1st products taken off long before petrol and therefore should be far cheaper - all the time. In our State newspaper there was an article about the disparity of petrol prices in the suburbs as well as diesel. The oil companies as usual wouldn't comment (how can they defend the indefensible?) but the reporter quoted sources as saying the oil co's are trying to get maximum profit out of diesel because apparently we don't complain as loudly as petrol users and so its not newsworthy and petrol prices are dearer in the lower socio-economic areas because they don't have any clout

Bruce and Bev wrote:

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Same in WA - we have 2 independent retailers (both of whom are interstate - Gull and Puma) who compete against Caltex, Shell and BP. They are usually 10-20c cheaper every day (even before the prices went down) than the big players and its still the same. And in metro Perth, prices in various suburbs vary by 15c-25c with the large players.
Diesel is about 20c dearer at the cheapest station, even though I understand (and I stand to be corrected) that when they fractionate crude oil, diesel is one of the 1st products taken off long before petrol and therefore should be far cheaper - all the time. In our State newspaper there was an article about the disparity of petrol prices in the suburbs as well as diesel. The oil companies as usual wouldn't comment (how can they defend the indefensible?) but the reporter quoted sources as saying the oil co's are trying to get maximum profit out of diesel because apparently we don't complain as loudly as petrol users and so its not newsworthy and petrol prices are dearer in the lower socio-economic areas because they don't have any clout

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 1) Be wary of the quality of diesel from some independents. Some carry very average quality fuel.

2) Diesel is what is used primarily in the transport industry. Expensive diesel =  expensive goods at the supermarket.

Larry

Far South Coast NSW the petrol IS cheaper than it used to be but we still paid 141.9/lt today.