Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles has not ruled out the possibility of fuel rationing as the ongoing war in the Middle East places pressure on supply and prices here in Australia.
“Right now, we have taken steps to put more fuel supply into the system. Over the course of the weekend, we released 20 per cent of the stock holdings that are kept in Australia.
“We’ve also loosened the restrictions, or the regulations around sulfur levels, which in turn releases about 100 million litres into the system as well per month. That does make a difference right now,” Marles told ABC TV this morning.
Cars queue for fuel at Granville, Sydney.Oscar Colman
But when pressed on whether the government would consider fuel rations as an additional measure, Marles did not rule out the possibility.
“Obviously, this is a function of how long this conflict continues, and that’s not something that I can answer in terms of what’s going to happen,” he said.
Panic-buying and stockpiling are contributing to increased demand and putting pressure on fuel supplies in Australia, as some regional towns report they have run out of diesel.