Premier Chris Minns has confirmed just how bad the fuel shortage has become in New South Wales.
“We’ve got 105 service stations that don’t have access to diesel, and 35 stations that don’t have access to anything,” the NSW Premier said in a press conference, though he noted the state has 2500 service stations in total.
In many regional and rural areas, diesel is now priced above $3/litre.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
But the Premier echoed his federal counterparts, confirming the issue is less an interruption of supply into the country but rather an issue with distribution aggravated by panic buyers.
“As it stands today, as a result of the strategic reserves being released and the sulfur content restrictions being eased, there is in fact more petrol in the economy today than there was five weeks ago or four weeks ago,” he said.
“The issues that you’re seeing in terms of supply for consumers is the distribution of it and also in some areas overconsumption of people just taking more than they need,” he added, further warning of the danger of storing excess fuel at homes and businesses.
State governments have the power to impose measures like fuel rationing, though federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told ABC’s Insiders on Sunday that “we’re a long way from that”.
“We will of course take emergency measures if required but those measures themselves have an impact on the economy and businesses in New South Wales, and we want to make sure we only do it when we absolutely have to,” said Mr Minns today.
These remarks were echoed by his Victorian counterpart, Jacinta Allan.
“Should there be a broader supply issue, there will need to be a nationally coordinated approach here, should there need to be additional measures taken to manage supply in a different way – we’re not there yet,” she said at a press conference.
Mr Bowen confirmed on Sunday that Australia’s supply of petrol has increased slightly to 38 days, while diesel and jet fuel are both at 30 days, though six of the 80 tankers expected to arrive into the country over April and May have been cancelled.
He ruled out invoking the National Liquid Fuel Emergency Act (1984) to direct the supply of fuel domestically and impose measures like rationing, though said he would exercise these powers if he received “pretty strong advice” from state and territory representatives.
Last week, the Albanese Government appointed Anthea Harris as the first Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator. Her role, the government says, will see her drive coordination between the federal and state and territory governments, as well as provide updates to these governments on the fuel supply outlook.
Since the latest Middle East conflict began around a fortnight ago, the Australian Government has released up to 20 per cent of national diesel and fuel reserves, and also temporarily amended fuel standards to allow for fuel with a higher sulfur content.
MORE: No fuel rationing in Australia yet, but consider working from home – Bowen