House of Reps meets after Australia grants asylum to Iranian soccer players
The coalition is joining with farmers to demand the Albanian government ensure critical industries do not face fuel shortages as fears of price rises and a protracted war in Iran spark widespread panic buying in regional areas.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen reassured Australians there were no shortages due to fuel stocks held in Australia or volumes coming into the country, but called an emergency meeting of a fuel working group of ministers and industries on Tuesday afternoon.
“There is absolutely no need for panic buying or panic. We are going through a very uncertain time internationally, but we are going into this crisis very well prepared,” Bowen told ABC radio. “Not a single shipload of diesel, gasoline or jet fuel was disrupted to Australia.”
The taskforce will include farmers’ organisations, fuel suppliers, Industry Minister Tim Ayres and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, as well as the fertilizer industry’s top lobby group, which is facing a global supply shortage. The meeting will discuss concerns that fuel wholesalers are stockpiling supplies and reports that farmers are panic buying to avoid future price increases.
You can read the full story here Sydney Morning Herald And AgeClimate and energy reporter Mike Foley is here.
