Question Time begins as parliament returns; Australia fuel shortage leaves Anthony Albanese, Labor under pressure

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will use his weight to force Asian countries to continue supplying oil to Australia as the Coalition opens the door to lifting sanctions on Russian fertilizer to prevent food inflation if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

The government acknowledged for the first time on Sunday the potential benefit of Australians working from home and reducing fuel consumption, two days after ignoring International Energy Agency (IEA) advice to drive less and avoid air travel.

Ahead of the contest over the urgency of Labour’s response to the oil shock in parliament, Energy Minister Chris Bowen warned on Sunday that supply would be volatile from next month as crude from the Middle East is expected to become scarce. He said at least six ships bound for Australia were canceled due to conflicts in Iran and the Gulf, and about 80 ships were expected to arrive.

Senior government sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity so they could speak openly, said Albanese had telephoned his counterparts to lobby for a stable supply. China will step up diplomatic efforts this week as it cuts exports and Labor seeks to prove it is proactively dealing with the fuel shock, sources said.

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