Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced that Australia’s fuel shipments are secured through May, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Over the Easter weekend, the number of service stations experiencing shortages of petrol and diesel decreased, which Mr. Bowen noted as a positive development.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cautioned that Australians should prepare for potentially challenging months ahead, as the global oil crisis continues to impact domestic fuel demand and prices.
Previously, the government indicated that fuel supplies were guaranteed until the end of April; however, Mr. Bowen updated reporters today, stating that efforts are now underway to secure supplies for May. He explained that all orders are contracted and legally obligated to the Australian companies that purchased them. “All contracted fuel is legally bound to the Australian companies, which is reassuring,” he told ABC RN. He added that while there are risks associated with the international situation, every precaution is being taken.
Recent statistics show that 274 service stations across Australia are out of diesel, a significant drop from over 400. In New South Wales, which has the highest number of shortages, 6 percent of stations are currently without diesel. “Most outages in other regions are around 2 to 3 percent. New South Wales has faced more shortages due to the needs of farmers during the seeding period, which has prioritized fuel distribution to them,” Mr. Bowen explained. He noted that the situation is improving, particularly over the Easter period.
As of Friday, Mr. Bowen indicated that 53 ships laden with fuel are en route to Australia from various refineries across Asia, the United States, and Mexico. Australia has also formalized a commitment with Singapore to maintain fuel trade and is exploring similar agreements with other Asian countries.
“The Prime Minister has been in discussions with his international counterparts, while I have been in communication with mine. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also been in talks,” Mr. Bowen stated during a media briefing in Sydney. He reassured that no contracted shipments have been canceled, and additional orders are being fulfilled.
Australia’s fuel reserves currently stand at 39 days of petrol, 29 days of diesel, and 30 days of jet fuel, figures that have remained stable since the conflict began. In a rare national address last week, Mr. Albanese urged Australians to consider using public transportation to conserve fuel, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining normalcy during this crisis.
“These are uncertain times, but I am confident that we will face these challenges in the Australian spirit, supporting one another as we always have,” Mr. Albanese concluded.
