Economist Nick Sladden has told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast that common ownership of petrol stations is resulting in higher prices at the bowser.

Mr Sladden undertook a study on Western Australia’s retail gas market, in light of the recent acquisition of Puma stations from BP.

“It’s a really extraordinary time for prices at the moment, particularly with the underlying price of oil, which obviously everyone is paying higher prices for,” he said.

“The markets where they can induce weaker competition, the prices are 1.5c greater.”

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