Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Answer me this

 I'm outsourcing this to AI - let's see what it says. 

I'm using ChatGPT.

Question One: What is the average price of diesel in Victoria today? 

As of today (late March 2026), diesel prices in Victoria—especially around Melbourne—are unusually high and volatile.

💰 Current average (best estimate today)

  • Around $2.90 – $3.10 per litre across Victoria
  • Many Melbourne stations are at or above $3.00/L, with some reported over $3.10/L

📊 Context (why it’s high)

  • Just a couple of weeks ago, averages were closer to:
    • ~$2.55/L in Melbourne
    • ~$1.94/L statewide average (week ending early March)
  • Prices have since surged rapidly due to supply issues and global factors, pushing diesel to ~$3.00/L nationally in some areas.
Question Two: What do you predict the price of diesel will be in 14 days?

🔮 14-day diesel price forecast (Victoria)

📊 Most likely range (early April 2026)

  • $3.00 – $3.30 per litre

📈 Scenario breakdown

  • Best case (stabilisation): ~$2.80 – $3.00/L
  • Most likely: ~$3.00 – $3.30/L
  • Worst case (shortage spike): $3.30 – $3.60+/L

🧠 Why this is the most likely outcome

1. Global oil prices are still elevated

  • Oil is expected to average ~US$110/barrel in March–April due to conflict risk
  • Higher oil = higher diesel (diesel closely tracks crude)

2. Australia is in a supply crunch

  • Fuel shipments into Australia have dropped sharply
  • Some service stations are already running out of diesel

➡️ That creates upward pressure on prices in the short term

3. Prices have been rising extremely fast

  • Diesel jumped ~50% in early March at wholesale level
  • National diesel already hit ~300 cents ($3.00/L) in some areas

➡️ Rapid spikes like this usually don’t reverse within 2 weeks

4. Short-term outlook: volatility, not relief

  • Experts say fuel pain may last “a few more weeks” before easing
  • Supply fixes (like US shipments) are coming—but not instantly
Question Three: What should people who drive diesel vehicles do to minimise costs?

When diesel is pushing ~$3.00/L, the goal isn’t just “use less fuel”—it’s buy smarter, drive smarter, and plan smarter. Here’s what actually makes a noticeable difference:

⛽ 1. Be strategic about where you fill up

  • Use apps like PetrolSpy or Fuel Map Australia
  • Price differences between nearby stations can be 20–50 cents per litre right now
  • Independent stations are often cheaper than big brands during spikes

👉 This alone can save $10–$30 per tank

⏰ 2. Time your fill-ups (less obvious, but important)

  • Diesel doesn’t follow petrol cycles exactly, but:
    • Prices often jump after supply news or shortages
    • Prices can dip slightly mid-week or after deliveries

👉 If prices are rising fast, fill sooner rather than later

🚗 3. Adjust how you drive (big impact over time)

Small changes = real savings:

  • Smooth acceleration (avoid heavy throttle)
  • Keep speed steady (especially on highways)
  • Use cruise control where possible
  • Avoid excessive idling

👉 Aggressive driving can increase fuel use by 10–30%

🛠️ 4. Keep your vehicle efficient

  • Correct tyre pressure = up to 3% fuel savings
  • Clean air filter improves combustion
  • Regular servicing keeps injectors efficient (critical for diesel engines)

⚖️ 5. Reduce weight and drag

  • Remove unused roof racks or heavy gear
  • Don’t carry tools/equipment you don’t need daily

👉 Extra weight = more fuel burned, especially in city driving

🧭 6. Combine trips and plan routes

  • Avoid short, cold-start trips (diesels are less efficient when cold)
  • Combine errands into one run
  • Use navigation to avoid stop-start traffic

💳 7. Use discounts and loyalty programs

  • Supermarket fuel dockets (4–10 cents off)
  • Some cards and apps offer cashback on fuel
  • Fleet or business drivers: check for bulk or commercial rates

🔄 8. Consider short-term alternatives

If prices stay extreme:

  • Carpool where possible
  • Use public transport for commute days
  • Work from home (even 1–2 days/week helps)

⚠️ What NOT to do

  • Don’t “panic fill” constantly—just be strategic
  • Don’t run your tank extremely low during shortages
  • Avoid cheap, poor-quality fuel from unknown sources (can cost more in repairs)
Yet everybody is panic buying and acting like a complete tool. 

And lastly: Why hasn't Australia implemented a work from home if youn can rule at the moment?

It’s a fair question—and on the surface, it does seem logical. If fuel is expensive, why not just have everyone who can work from home?

The reality is a mix of economics, politics, and workplace culture.

🏛️ 1. Governments don’t typically mandate WFH for fuel prices

In Australia (including Victoria), work-from-home policies are generally left to:

  • Individual businesses
  • Public service departments

During events like COVID-19, WFH was mandated because it was a public health emergency.
High fuel prices, by contrast, are seen as an economic issue, not a crisis that justifies emergency powers.

👉 So the government is reluctant to step in and dictate how businesses operate.

💼 2. Businesses have been pulling people back to the office

Since 2023–2025, many employers have:

  • Signed long-term office leases
  • Invested in CBD workplaces (e.g. in Melbourne)
  • Pushed for hybrid or in-office work to justify those costs

There’s also a belief (rightly or wrongly) that:

  • Collaboration
  • Productivity
  • Company culture

…are better in person.

👉 So even with high fuel prices, many companies are resisting a full return to WFH.

🏙️ 3. The broader economy depends on commuters

This is the part people don’t always see.

City economies rely heavily on office workers:

  • Cafés, retail, transport, services
  • Commercial property values

If everyone stayed home again:

  • CBD businesses would take a hit
  • Public transport revenue would drop
  • Flow-on effects could impact jobs

👉 Governments balance fuel pain vs. wider economic impact.

⚖️ 4. Not all jobs can be done from home

A large portion of the workforce:

  • Trades
  • Healthcare
  • Retail
  • Logistics

…still need to travel regardless.

👉 A blanket “WFH rule” would only apply to part of the population, which makes it harder to justify as national policy.

🧠 5. It’s politically tricky

Mandating WFH could be seen as:

  • Government overreach into business decisions
  • Unequal (white-collar vs blue-collar divide)
  • Disruptive after businesses just stabilised post-pandemic

So politically, it’s a harder sell than it seems.

🔄 What is happening instead

Rather than mandates, you’re seeing:

  • Encouragement of flexible work
  • Some companies quietly allowing more WFH days
  • Pressure on fuel taxes or supply (longer-term fixes)

✅ Bottom line

Australia hasn’t introduced a “work from home if you can” rule because:

  • Fuel prices aren’t treated like an emergency
  • Businesses want people back in offices
  • The economy depends on commuter activity
  • Not everyone can work remotely
  • It’s politically sensitive
If I'm honest, I knew all that. 




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