<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Australia's"><span>Australia's</span></a><span> consumer watchdog insists it will keep a close eye on fuel companies in the coming weeks to guard against price gouging at the petrol pump.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In an emergency meeting held today, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) met with representatives from the biggest fuel suppliers in Australia, including Ampol, BP and Chevron, after </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/petrol-prices" rel="" target="_blank" title="petrol prices"><span>petrol prices</span></a><span> have soared and fuel supply has plummeted in some parts of Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ACCC reaffirmed its stance on price gouging at the pumps, telling fuel suppliers that Australians were struggling under the strain of more expensive petrol, or being unable to access it at all.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-17-donald-trump-pushes-allies-for-help-in-strait-of-hormuz/07b534e9-af93-4d00-91dc-58dba21ca969" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Campaign of strikes in skies above US embassy in Iraq</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The fuel suppliers were also asked to explain price hikes in petrol, and why they were increasing at such a fast rate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Average prices for petrol have ballooned from around $1.80 a litre before the war in Iran to around $2.20 now. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The price of diesel has gone even higher, currently sitting at around $2.45.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/petrol-prices-australia-emergency-meeting-with-major-fuel-companies-held-as-crisis-continues/3c1b2130-1e3d-4925-a1a0-46747aabfad3" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We urged the fuel companies to be open and honest with consumers about the reasons for their pricing decisions," ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/rba-interest-rates-the-reserve-bank-has-hiked-interest-rates-how-much-will-this-cost-me/230033ae-0a25-489c-bafb-7d5d7505cade"><strong><span>The Reserve Bank has hiked interest rates again. How much will this cost me?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Since this crisis began we have heard from many consumers who are concerned and frustrated about pricing conduct by retailers."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb confirmed she would ensure strong action would be taken against fuel suppliers found to be price gouging.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/rba-interest-rates-live-updates-march-2026-decision-latest-news-headlines/350491ae-9cc3-47b0-84f2-71cef3b2a650" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Divided Reserve Bank delivers the news that made Australian hearts sink</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If we find there is conduct that is collusive, for example any agreements to divide up or supply certain customers or set prices, or any other collusion in breach of competition laws, we will investigate it and take action," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Cass-Gottlieb claimed the ACCC were given "important information about the supply chain [and] the volatility in international pricing," but she encouraged fuel suppliers to be open with customers, especially farmers in rural regions who are beginning to struggle with a lack of petrol.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We encourage fuel companies to be accurate, open and honest about the reasons for price increases across the country and to treat their customers fairly," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>