Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces 100 million litre diesel shipment to bolster reserves strained by Middle East war and a domestic refinery fire.
KUALA LUMPUR: Australia has secured an additional 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea to bolster supplies hit by the Middle East war.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the shipments while speaking at a press conference in Malaysia.
“This is the first of many expected shipments secured, under the government’s new strategic reserve powers,” said Albanese.
He revealed the shipments were secured during his visit to Brunei, where he was the previous day.
The move comes as a crucial refinery outside Melbourne was hit by a fire overnight, raising the spectre of further disruptions.
Australia holds roughly 38 days’ worth of petrol in reserve, far below the 90-day minimum dictated by the International Energy Agency.
The government has urged drivers to conserve petrol and favour public transport where possible.
It has so far resisted moves to ration fuel.
Like most nations in the region, Australia is heavily reliant on oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping traffic through the vital waterway has essentially ceased since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.