Australia news live: Jacinta Allan was subjected to ‘vile sexism’ as premier, Julia Gillard says

Petrol is back above $2 a litre and diesel prices have hit $2.40 in some cities as fuel costs race upwards.

Oil prices have steadily risen since the US resumed strikes on Iran, with Brent crude up from about US$70 on 2 July to US$87 today, while the Australian government reduced its fuel excise discount by 16 cents a litre.

Service stations have passed the higher wholesale fuel prices on to customers.

Melbourne is facing diesel prices of $2.40 a litre today, up 66 cents from their June low of 173.9c/L, according to Motormouth. Canberra is at 238c/L, Brisbane is at 234.4, Adelaide at 233.7, Sydney 232.8, and 226.4 in Perth.

Unleaded petrol prices have risen to 204.1 cents a litre in Canberra. They’re at 195.6c/L in Melbourne, 195.2 in Brisbane, 192.6 in Adelaide and 191.1, in Sydney – the latter up from its June low of 152.2. Perth has seen the biggest jump, with unleaded at 196.6c/L today, up nearly 50 cents from the June low of 148.3.