SENATOR DEAN SMITH
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE SHADOW TREASURER
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE COST OF LIVING
LIBERAL SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
23 March 2026
FUEL CHAOS HURTS WA DRIVERS MOST
Data analysis reveals why Western Australian motorists will be among the worst affected by skyrocketing fuel prices under the Albanese Government.
Based on the latest available Census information*, WA had the largest number of households with two cars in Australia.
It was also second only to Tasmania in having the most households with three or more cars.
The analysis was completed by the office of Senator Dean Smith, who is Opposition spokesman for the Cost of Living.
Data confirms 39.1 per cent of Western Australia households, or 376,783 homes, had two cars – higher than any other state – with a national average of 36.3 per cent.
The average in other states ranged from 34.1 per cent (New South Wales) to 37.5 per cent (Queensland).
The WA figure was up slightly on the 38.9 per cent recorded in the previous Census.
Significantly, the West also had a near record number of households with three or more vehicles, at 20.7 per cent, or just under 200,000 homes.
Tasmania was the only state with a higher rate at 22.3 per cent – and both were well above the national average of 18 per cent.
Fuel prices continue to climb on Labor’s watch, with a failure of forward planning and mixed messaging about supply from an Energy Minister who has clearly been asleep at the wheel.
In WA, there are also two aggravating factors to consider.
Firstly, there has been massive population growth since this Census data was recorded, meaning a much higher number of motorists in the West will now be affected at the bowser.
Secondly, it is a simple fact that Perth drivers generally have farther to travel.
Perth is now reportedly the “longest” city in the world, featuring a 150km urban sprawl stretching from Two Rocks to Dawesville.
All this combines to leave WA motorists uniquely exposed to the Albanese Government’s worsening fuel price pain.
Comments attributable to Senator Dean Smith:
“Each data study confirms it – whether it be due to government spending and inflation, or a failure to address fuel insecurity – Australians are worse off under Labor.”
“Unfortunately, we continue to see that WA is disproportionately affected, from record rental stress to the emerging fuel crisis.”
“WA, and even Perth itself, is a place where many people need a vehicle to shop, to go to work, to care for a relative or do the school run, and on the Albanese Government’s watch they are paying dearly for it.”
“At a time when Australian need clarity and a plan for fuel supply from their Government, Labor is failing them.”
“Worst of all, this comes on top of existing cost of living pressures, with inflation and interest rates up and predicted to stay there, leaving Western Australians poorly placed to absorb fuel price spikes.”
*Census, August 2021
