World | Australia
Australian truckers protest against rising fuel costs
Fuel protests spread to Australia on Tuesday, with truckers blocking commuter highways to rally against rising oil prices.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:54 July 1, 2008
Sydney: Fuel protests spread to Australia on Tuesday, with truckers blocking commuter highways to rally against rising oil prices.
About 100 truckers arrived on the main highway from Newcastle to Sydney, driving below the speed limit to clog the traffic.
The truckers union said drivers were risking lives by cutting maintenance and working longer hours to absorb the costs.
Protests against rising fuel costs have plagued the world, as truckers, taxi drivers, fishermen and farmers demand tax cuts rising fears of political instability and a global economic downturn.
The union has urged the Australian government to set minimum rates of pay and conditions so that truckers are not forced to absorb the extra cost of fuel.
Australia imports only about 20 per cent of its oil.
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