Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned Australians to brace for ongoing global uncertainty while assuring fuel supplies remain stable in the short term, as a major cyclone bears down on Western Australia and conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt energy markets.
Speaking in Canberra on Friday, Albanese said Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, a Category 4 system, was impacting the West Pilbara and Gascoyne coasts, while parts of northern Australia were still recovering from recent flooding.
He urged residents in affected areas to follow official advice and look out for one another, acknowledging the role of emergency broadcasters including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation during crises.
At the same time, the Prime Minister said the government was closely monitoring the economic and energy impacts of the Middle East conflict, which he described as having real consequences for Australians through rising costs and supply pressures.
Albanese said Australia’s fuel outlook remained secure in the near term, with additional shipments arranged to offset recent disruptions. Six tankers carrying jet fuel are due to arrive between late March and early April, sourced from China and other suppliers.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said cancelled fuel shipments had been replaced and supplemented, ensuring petrol, diesel and aviation fuel supplies would remain at or above typical levels in coming weeks.
He pointed to increased deliveries to regional areas, including significant year-on-year rises in fuel volumes across New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, though he acknowledged shortages had not yet fully eased due to surging demand.
Terminal sales data showed sharp increases in fuel distribution across multiple locations, indicating both strong demand and improving supply, Bowen said.
Despite this, both ministers conceded regional communities continued to face acute challenges accessing fuel, particularly for transport and agriculture. Albanese said shortages were largely due to distribution constraints rather than a lack of overall supply, with efforts underway to improve delivery into affected areas.
The Prime Minister confirmed he would convene National Cabinet on Monday to coordinate a unified response across states and territories, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid fragmented decision-making.
He said the government was working with industry and international partners to stabilise supply chains, including maintaining close contact with countries such as Malaysia, which he described as a reliable fuel partner.
Asked about calls from the opposition to halve the fuel excise, Albanese said the government would continue to consider cost-of-living measures within broader budget constraints, while Bowen argued reducing support for energy programs such as home batteries would ultimately increase household costs.
On foreign policy, Albanese declined to criticise remarks by Donald Trump regarding Australia’s role in the Middle East, stating that no requests from the United States had been refused. He reiterated Australia’s support for de-escalation while maintaining its alliance commitments.
“We do want to see an end to the conflict,” Albanese said, adding the war was contributing to global economic strain.
Bowen said confidence in fuel supply beyond mid-April would depend on the evolving international situation, noting each day without further shipment cancellations improved the outlook, though uncertainty remained high.
The government said its immediate priority was ensuring Australians could access fuel, particularly in regional areas, as efforts continue to stabilise supply and manage rising demand.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
