Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Australia’s fuel supply remains strong and there are no immediate plans to ration fuel to manage the impact of the Iran war on the nation’s supply chain, Energy Minister Chris Bowen says.
Australia, which imports about 90 percent of its fuel, has experienced localised shortages, as the escalating US-Israeli war disrupts supply.
The nation has 38 days of petrol, and 30 days of diesel and jet fuel, Bowen said. Supply remains strong, despite the cancellation of six fuel shipments from Asia.
“While we are dealing with an uncertainty, we still have two refineries working full pelt,” he said. “It would be better if we had more, sure, but we do have two and we also have the boats continuing to arrive.”
Asked about whether the centre-left government would consider using emergency powers to ration fuel, Bowen said: “We’re a long way from that.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese again urged Australians not to panic-buy fuel amid shortages in some rural areas.
“People need to engage responsibly and I’m sure that, overwhelmingly, that’s what Australians will do,” Albanese said.
Last week, Albanese said his government would roll out additional measures to safeguard fuel supply, appointing Anthea Harris, the former boss of the Australian Energy Regulator, as head of a national fuel supply taskforce to tackle shortages and improve the domestic fuel supply chain.
– Reuters