Boost for truckies amid escalating global fuel crisis
Rapid support will be given to truck drivers as hundreds of gas stations have run out of fuel due to the Middle East war.
The federal government will amend the Fair Work Act to allow lorry drivers and transport businesses to apply urgently for a contracted chain order in response to sudden rises in fuel prices.
The change eliminates the six-month minimum waiting period for such orders to allow faster response as global instability increases costs and puts pressure on the industry.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth said the changes would help spread costs more fairly across the supply chain and support a critical sector.
“Truckers and transport operators need to be protected from increases in fuel prices, and it is important that costs are shared fairly,” he said in a statement.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King said the measures were vital to ensure essential goods were transported across the country.
“Gas price increases affect everyone, but no one feels it more acutely than those who make their living behind the wheel,” he said.
On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a joint statement with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, confirming the two countries’ commitment to energy security and sharing their concerns about the situation in the Middle East.
Mr Albanese said the economic effects of the conflict would continue after it ended due to the widespread destruction of oil and gas infrastructure.
“Even if we wake up tomorrow to the welcome news that this conflict is over, there will still be a long economic tail to reckon with,” he told a mining industry dinner on Monday evening.
“All of this underscores a simple truth: The stable, predictable world of ever-expanding free trade is gone and will not return anytime soon.”
It comes as service stations are struggling with fuel supplies, with Energy Minister Chris Bowen telling parliament that 109 outlets in Victoria are out of at least one grade of petrol.
He said diesel was not available at 47 outlets in Queensland, regular unleaded fuel was not available at 32 outlets, and 37 stations in NSW were out of petrol.
Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan said the shortage would worsen by April as the war dragged on.
Mr Tehan told Sky News: “People should be deeply concerned with the way Chris Bowen has handled this matter.”
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