Premier Roger Cook threatens emergency powers over fuel stock information
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has issued a veiled threat to the state’s biggest fuel suppliers to share confidential business information about fuel stocks and where fuel is sold or risk using the government’s emergency powers to extort data.
Cook on Friday called on suppliers, including BP, Viva and Ampol, to share information they have sent fuel to since the start of the Iran war, including their total fuel stocks and the contracts they signed through June.
Cook said the government needed the information by Tuesday for State Controller of Fuel Safety Rob Cossart to better coordinate WA’s efforts to deliver fuel to areas that need it most, particularly the state’s agricultural regions preparing for seeding.
“I strongly urge you to comply with all requests for information from our State Controller.
I draw your attention to the powers that the WA Energy Minister has to require the provision of information in the event of a State of Emergency being triggered. Fuel, Energy and Power Supplies Act 1972Cook said in his letter:
“While my preference is to continue to work in partnership with fuel suppliers, my government will not hesitate to do what is right for WA if the need arises.”
Cook also asked the companies to provide him with plans designed to “prioritise and facilitate the supply of petrol and/or diesel fuel to regional, agricultural or marine consumers in WA who are or are facing shortages”.
When asked why he wasn’t using his powers now, Cook said cooperation was always preferred.
“It’s very simple, because we want people to work together. So, you always try to cooperate and cooperate before you force people through legal means,” he said.
“We told them if they couldn’t find the information we needed by Tuesday, we would take action.”
WA has received contracted shipments of refined fuel since the start of the Iran war but demand on the bowser has increased rapidly.
In Western Australia, excess fuel from major suppliers such as BP and Ampol is often sent to a spot market serving independent retailers, but as demand has increased the spot market has evaporated and independents have been left without fuel.
Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said there had been “variable” participation from major suppliers.
“While we are seeing significant volumes in BP and Ampol, we are not getting the information we need for smaller distributors,” he said.
“I think what this makes clear across the country is that we have a structural problem with the supply chain.
“If you are a contract customer, you will continue to receive supply, if you are a non-contract customer based on the spot market, this is the issue we are trying to solve here.
“So we need further clarification on volumes, percentages and distribution lines to smaller suppliers in some of the very regional towns.”
Sanderson said BP was pumping fuel at 174 percent of its normal volume, while Ampol was pumping fuel at 164 percent of its normal volume.
Australian Petroleum Institute president Malcolm Roberts said fuel suppliers were already providing a mountain of information to nine governments across the country.
“Suppliers will continue to support Mr Cossart and the state government by working with our customers and authorities to keep fuel flowing,” he said.
“We have only one claim; while the industry works 24 hours a day, it takes time to compile data.
“Fuel suppliers are calling on governments to coordinate requests for information as much as possible to avoid unnecessary duplication.”
A BP spokesman said the company’s priority was to ensure it met its contractual obligations to existing customers.
“Following government approval of the 20 percent release of BP’s minimum stock obligation, we are working closely with governments and our distributors to deliver additional fuel to the regions,” he said.
The spokesperson’s advice to mom-and-pop consumers was to continue accessing fuel as usual: “no more, no less.”
Cook rejected calls to fix the fuel price, which his government has the power to do.
“We want to maintain competitive tension in the market so we can continue to put downward pressure on prices,” he said.
“We are confident there will be enough fuel to reach farmers under the changes the Commonwealth Government has made in terms of strategic fuel supply distribution.”
Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political correspondent and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Award for best political journalism.Connect with: X or email.
