The overriding question is: why do we routinely pay so much more than other parts of the country that are further from the major cities? It’s something our readers have asked on so many occasions we have almost lost count.

Now, business leaders and politicians are asking the same question. And NRMA director Alan Evans is urging locals to use the Treasurer’s unfortunate comments as a springboard to pester decision-makers to do something to rein in fuel prices.

High fuel prices damage the region in several ways. 

First, there’s the cost to families. In a regional area without public transport, fuel is not optional. If it costs more, then people have less to spend on other things and that affects the local retail and service sectors.

Second, there’s the increased cost to do business, which means employers are less inclined to hire more people.

Third, there’s the temptation to leave the region to buy fuel and shop. With Albion Park fuel prices regularly lower than Nowra’s, shopping centres like Shellharbour suck more money out of the local economy. 

It is a vicious cycle.

Perhaps Joe Hockey’s insensitive remarks about poor people and fuel costs will generate a grassroots campaign here in the Shoalhaven to do exactly what Alan Evans is urging – pester politicians into forcing the duopoly that is inflating local prices to do the right thing and bring them into line with the rest of the country.