Canberra, March 19: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the formation of a fuel security task force on Thursday, amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
After meeting with leaders from various states and territories, Albanese told reporters that the government is taking every possible step to ensure the security of Australia’s fuel supply.
He stated, “I want to reassure Australian citizens that Australia is well-prepared. Our fuel supply is currently secure, but I want us to be extra prepared.”
Albanese urged the public to take only as much fuel as necessary, emphasizing, “This is how you can help.”
He appointed Anthia Harris, former CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator and Energy Security Board, as the coordinator of the new national fuel supply task force. Each state and territory will also appoint a representative.
The task force aims to enhance coordination between federal, state, and regional governments to strengthen fuel security and supply chains.
This announcement follows the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launching an investigation into alleged anti-competitive behavior by the country’s major fuel suppliers.
The ACCC stated that the investigation was initiated in response to reports regarding diesel availability from independent wholesalers and distributors serving rural and regional Australia, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister indicated new measures to protect citizens from the “worst” effects of global economic uncertainty arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a speech at an automotive industry event, Albanese described the Middle Eastern conflict as another significant shock to the global economy, following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the 2020s.
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