PM hits the phones to shore up Australia’s fuel supply
The prime minister is calling on global counterparts to try to boost Australia’s fuel stocks in the coming weeks and months as the Middle East war sends shockwaves through global supply chains.
The government will convene business leaders for a food safety summit on Monday as logistics companies warn that increases in petrol and diesel prices are putting their operations under increasing pressure.
Australia is heavily dependent on fuel imports, bringing most of it from South Korea and Singapore; These countries are also dependent on oil from the Middle East.
Deputy Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said Anthony Albanese was working on the phones to ensure Australia’s imports were not forgotten in the global oil rush.
“The Prime Minister is negotiating with our Asian neighbors and counterparts to maximize the amount of fuel available in Australia,” he told Sky News on Monday morning.
Mr Thistlethwaite suggested Australia could use its natural gas exports to encourage countries such as South Korea to continue sending the fuel.
The International Energy Agency has proposed encouraging people to work from home in a bid to reduce oil demand; It was a move the government described as “sensible” on Sunday.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen also announced that six tankers bound for Australia had their journeys canceled or postponed due to the war in the Middle East.
Fuel companies are increasing their imports from the United States in response, Labor Secretary Mark Butler said Monday.
“My understanding is that we’re seeing an increase in shipments from the US that we haven’t seen for many years,” he told Nine’s Today programme.
“I think companies, but also the government, are working hard to make sure we can get supplies wherever possible,” he said.
Deputy Opposition Leader Jane Hume said the solution to the fuel crisis was stronger supply chains.
“The way to deal with the crisis we’re facing right now is to address these distribution channels and make sure we have the supply chains to distribute fuel to where it’s needed,” he told ABC TV.
“If this doesn’t happen, the economy will grind to a halt.”
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