I am sick of people blaming "the government" (and I do not care which party is in at the time). They are not the ones setting the prices.
Yes the tax take has increased in fuel but it has decreased in other stuff because there is still only a certain amount of money to be spent. By being more frugal in our fuel use, but not spending on other large cost items, the tax take has actually dropped.
The major problem with the fuel costs is speculators in the US.
I too walk, or ride my bike. I am lucky I do not live in a city where this is too dangerous!
Our "home" vehicles get used very little but Grant's work 4WD (diesel) makes up for it. In the last 2 weeks he travelled over 2,700km. In the last 12 months he did 47,000km but this year will be more, up to around 50,000. He is averaging 1,000km per week.