COALITION PLAN TO SECURE MORE FUEL FOR AUSTRALIA

The Coalition will more than double Australia’s minimum fuel reserves to 60 days and deliver at least 1 billion litres of new storage through an $800 million Australian Fuel Security Facility, building long-term resilience against future supply shocks in Dawson.

Under the plan, the threshold amount of fuel held by industry in Australia’s fuel reserves through the Minimum Stockholding Obligation would be lifted over time to increase stocks of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel. Currently, industry is required to hold around 30 days’ worth of reserves for each fuel type.

In addition to raising the threshold, a dedicated $800 million program will be established to invest in new large-scale fuel storage projects across the nation, significantly boosting the capacity of industry to hold more fuel onshore.

Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor said Australians expect their country to keep running, but in a crisis the Prime Minister is always last to lead.

“This is a plan the Prime Minister should pick up today. No excuses, no delays,” Mr Taylor said.

“If fuel stops, Australia stops. It’s that simple. Trucks don’t move, supermarkets don’t stock, businesses shut their doors.”

“We are putting forward a practical plan to make sure that never happens. More fuel in reserve, more storage on the ground, and a country that can stand on its own two feet.”

Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said families and businesses needed confidence that fuel would be there when they needed it.

“This plan is just common sense. Keep more fuel here in Australia so we are not relying on overseas supply lines that can be cut overnight,” Senator Canavan said.

“We cannot keep hoping for the best. We need to be ready, and this plan gets us there.”

Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said the Coalition’s plan delivered a clear pathway to stronger fuel security.

“The Coalition understands that fuel security is national security: in government, we legislated the Minimum Stockholding Obligation, funded new fuel storage, and backed our refineries,” Mr Tehan said.

“This stands in stark contrast to the Albanese Labor Government, which has cut funding for fuel storage projects over three federal budgets.”

Andrew Willcox, Federal Member for Dawson, said the national fuel crisis had exposed critical fuel storage gaps in our agricultural sector.

“This crisis has exposed Australia’s vulnerability to global supply shocks of critical liquid fuels, including in Dawson,” Mr Willcox said.

“The Coalition’s fuel security package will more than double our fuel reserves and deliver a new wave of vital storage projects – it's about locking in our long-term resilience so Australia can stand on its own two feet.

“We must protect our economic foundations by scrapping the Safeguard Mechanism costs on refineries and lifting the minimum stockholding obligation. This is the only way to ensure that during global disruptions, our tractors keep moving and our supermarket shelves stay stocked.

“I urge the federal government to back our plan and, importantly, commit to increasing our minimum fuel threshold on 1 January 2027 as a positive first step towards locking in our fuel security.”

ENDS

Caption: Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, says the Coalition’s plan to more than double our national fuel reserves is about one thing: ensuring that when global shocks hit, our farmers, transport operators, and families are not left running on empty.

Media Contacts:

Mr Taylor: Raylene Pearce - 0425 745 955
Mr Canavan: Lauren Day - 0448 294 681
Mr Tehan - William Spence - 0438 206 222
Mr Willcox – Amanda Wright – 0455 456 705