Rita Saffioti doesn’t believe fuel rationing will be needed, despite the number of WA outlets out of diesel surging by more than 207 per cent.
On Wednesday, there were 12 service stations that had run dry, mainly in regional communities, but that had ballooned to 45 retailers on Thursday.
Another 19 retailers were without unleaded petrol.
The Treasurer said efforts were underway to divert fuel stocks where they were needed, and appealed for calm.
“Work (is being) undertaken on how we can have more immediate visibility about fuel stations and their stocks,” she said.
“What’s happening in the Middle East is causing all of us concern, but we’ve gone through it with Covid, (and) we’ve gone through it with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“It creates shocks in the economy and through society, but we have to be calm and measured in how we deal with this.”
Camera IconAmpol Foodary Broome. Credit: Cain Andrews/Broome Advertiser
She said the flow of oil ships out of the Strait of Hormuz, and prices, were being monitored but were fluctuating.
“I’m not expecting (rationing) but there are a lot of moving parts,” she said.
“It does change every day and you’re not sure what’s going to be happening next week in relation to those ships, but what we’ll continue to do is monitor what’s happening and then work with industry to try and alleviate the impact.”
Premier Roger Cook maintained that “petrol and diesel supplies remain secure, ships are arriving on schedule, and our fuel terminals are well-stocked”.
WA’s alert level under a state hazard plan for fuel disruptions was increased from white to yellow alert last week.
A level two amber alert would escalate business continuity arrangements to “crisis management” and trigger a co-ordinated approach to ramp-up preparations for emergency provisions — if needed.
Ms Saffioti couldn’t say whether WA was close to pulling that alert lever.
“If there’s a change in relation to that we will immediately announce it,” she said.
“But it needs consideration of the state emergency sub-committee of Cabinet”.
Camera Icon7-Eleven, 660 Beeliar Drive, in Success. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West AustralianHere are the stations with no diesel left: 7-Eleven Alkimos7-Eleven Ascot7-Eleven Balga7-Eleven Banksia Grove7-Eleven Bassendean7-Eleven Bentley7-Eleven Bibra Lake7-Eleven Brabham7-Eleven ButlerBP Canning Vale OPT7-Eleven Carlisle7-Eleven Dayton7-Eleven Eaton7-Eleven Malvern Springs7-Eleven Gosnells7-Eleven Joondalup7-Eleven Mandurah7-Eleven Middle Swan7-Eleven Midland7-Eleven MorleyUGO Mundaring7-Eleven RidgewoodAmpol Foodary Scarborough7-Eleven Success7-Eleven Thornlie7-Eleven Wanneroo South7-Eleven Wattle Grove7-Eleven WithersAmpol Foodary North RoadBalingup Liquor & General StoreHarbour Rd TruckstopWFG Shell Esperance OPTShell Reddy Express CollieGeographe IGAVibe HarveyHills EmporioShell Geraldton TruckstopMt Barker Fuel ServicesShell Reddy Express Ocean ReefCondello’s Liquor WaterlooAstron Quinns RocksWalkaway General StoreDe Rosa’s Highway MotorsShell Reddy Express WembleyAmpol Albany Diesel StopHere are the stations with no unleaded left:Balingup Liquor & General StoreVibe BroadwaterHarbour Rd TruckstopWFG Shell Esperance OPTGeographe IGAVibe HendersonHills Emporio7-Eleven LandsdaleMt Barker Fuel ServicesShell Reddy Express Upper Swan RoadhouseWalkaway General StoreAmpol Foodary BroomeCheynes Beach Caravan ParkUnited Mount Barker Roadhouse Truck StopShell Reddy Express Port HedlandAstron Quinns RocksAmpol Foodary WillettonGull York Roadhouse