A petrol station owner who was filmed filling up a large tank at a different servo before taking it to his own to resell says he has done nothing wrong.
Jaheer Hussain was captured on a now-viral video filling up a 1,000-litre fuel tank at a Metro in Ashmont, near Wagga Wagga in southern NSW, before carting it more than 40km north to his Mobil station in Junee.
While backlash swiftly followed —heightened by concerns of a fuel storage due to the conflict in the Middle East — Mr Hussain said the situation has been taken out of proportion. The video, filmed by a motorist at the bowser, captured him standing on the side of his trailer, filling up the large tank with unleaded 91.
The clip infuriated Wagga Wagga locals, who claimed their bowsers were left empty.
But some were quick to defend Mr Hussain, saying there was nothing illegal about his actions.
Mr Hussain told Yahoo News he actually has a contract with Metro, who usually supply his fuel via a tanker delivery.
“They always deliver the fuel,” he said. “Even tomorrow evening, the load’s coming.”
High demand as more customers buy in bulk
The business owner, who has operated the Mobil for the past eight years, said the current concerns over fuel availability have forced farmers who aren’t usually his customers to come and buy large quantities of petrol.
In instances where he runs out of fuel, Mr Hussain admits he travels to Metro bowsers in either Ashmont or Bethungra in order to keep his business going and provide fuel for locals in the Junee area.
When asked if he resells at a higher price, he said he had to in order to make a profit.
“How can I do the same price? I’m not running a charity,” he said.
“I need at least three hours, going there, fill up there and coming back. It’s like three hours.
“I’m also paying [for it]. I’m not stealing.”
Petrol prices on Tuesday remained over $2 per litre in most Australian cities. Source: AAP
(AAPIMAGE)
Mr Hussein said his business is completely family owned and operated, and has struggled with the negativity since the video was published.
He said if he runs out of petrol, the customers not only go elsewhere for their fuel but it also impacts any potential in-store purchases.
“So there is no income,” he said. “I don’t want to run out of fuel.”
Yahoo News has contacted Metro Petroleum for comment.
Driver accused of ‘ridiculous’ act at bowser
Another driver who was accused of driving away from a petrol station with a large container of fuel on the back of their ute has also become the target of criticism.
While some said they were “jealous” of the driver’s huge stockpile of fuel, others accused the driver of exacerbating Australia’s looming petrol shortage.
“[People] are being ridiculous! Everyone needs to chill. Am I the only one not panic-buying?” asked one Aussie.
Others suggested the driver may be a farmer, and this sort of purchase is common.
Australian drivers have been accused of ‘hoarding’ petrol. Source: TikTok/shehandnicki/yus.ali
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