Petrol stations are reporting a surge in demand of up to 25% in the last fortnight alone on top of already major spikes earlier in the Iran war as Anthony Albanese comes under pressure to devise a national plan to cushion Australia against the \u201cbiggest energy crisis in history\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association has revealed the scale of the demand on retailers, which has left hundreds of stations across the country without one or more types of fuel.<\/p>\n
\u201cFuel retailers have reported an increase in demand of up to 25% over the past two weeks which followed a significant spike in demand,\u201d the association\u2019s chief executive, Rowan Lee, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRetailers are reporting that people are filling up more regularly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cParts of the agriculture, freight and commercial sectors brought forward their buying of fuel, which has added to demand in the short term.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lee said when an outlet runs out of one grade of fuel, it was \u201cusually only temporary\u201d and often rectified within two days.<\/p>\n
The prime minister is expected to meet premiers and chief ministers on Monday to thrash out a plan to manage the fuel crisis, which the federal government expects to cause months-long disruptions even if the war with Iran finishes tomorrow.<\/p>\n
The federal government and the states are not considering fuel rationing but have not ruled out other voluntary measures to reduce usage if the situations worsens, such as encouraging work from home if possible.<\/p>\n
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email<\/a><\/p>\n