Australia’s fuel supply secure in near term, says Albanese

2026-03-27 - 02:01

Hundreds of service stations across Australia have reported fuel shortfalls following the US-Israeli attack on Iran. (EPA Images pic) CANBERRA: Australia has a secure supply of fuel over the near term, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday, as he sought to reassure skittish households and businesses at a time of mounting reports of gasoline shortages. “Australia’s fuel supply outlook remains secure over the near term due to the actions the government’s taken to date,” he told reporters in Canberra. There will be six tankers of jet fuel arriving from Saturday through April 8, the prime minister said, with those shipments coming from China and elsewhere. Hundreds of service stations across Australia have reported fuel shortfalls following the US-Israeli attack on Iran. The Islamic Republic has responded by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz that connects the Persian Gulf to world energy markets. With limited domestic refining capacity, Australia imports more than two-thirds of its gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Its biggest supplier, South Korea, has already said it will cap some exports and China has reportedly banned some too. Energy minister Chris Bowen told the same press conference that refiners in Australia had been able to replace shipments that had been cancelled, meaning that “for the next few weeks Australia’s supply of petrol and diesel and oil will be the same if not higher than it normally would be.” However, Albanese warned that “the longer this war goes on the greater the impact will be.” We’re working to secure the fuel Australia needs with our international partners and longstanding friends. Bowen said the replacement of cancelled shipments gave him more confidence on supply in coming weeks, and every day that passed without new cancellations boosted confidence about supply into late April and May. The government emphasised that it had been in close contact with countries across the region to secure fuel, with Albanese saying he had spoken to Malaysian authorities and others. “I have also been talking to the Malaysian government. I’ve been very pleased with those conversations,” Bowen said. “The Malaysian government has indicated to me that they regard their role as a reliable supplier of liquid fuel to Australia extremely importantly, and that they see Australia as a key ally and friend and they are keen to work with us.” Albanese also indicated that his government expected Asian countries to maintain exports due to their need for Australian energy shipments. “Our gas exports are very important in the region,” he said. “Australia is a reliable supplier. We expect reciprocation in economic relations.”