Western Australia Invokes Emergency Powers Amid Fuel Crisis
Govt cracks down on fuel firms over data gaps as global price surge hits supply
- Roger Cook activates emergency powers
- Fuel firms accused of not sharing supply data
- Crisis triggered by Middle East conflict-driven price spike
- Anthony Albanese urges calm, no panic buying
GG News Bureau
Perth, 1st April: Western Australia has invoked emergency powers to tackle a worsening fuel crisis after several fuel companies failed to provide critical supply data, leaving authorities without a clear picture of fuel availability across the state.
Premier Roger Cook said the government would compel fuel firms to disclose details of their stock, storage, and distribution under provisions of the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act, 1972.
“In some cases, we don’t know where the fuel is,” Cook said, highlighting serious gaps in supply chain transparency that have hampered the government’s response.
Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson noted that only half of the six fuel companies responded to the government’s initial request for data, forcing authorities to take legal action.
The emergency orders, set to come into force this week, will require companies to share detailed information on fuel volumes, deliveries, and shipment routes. The move is aimed at enabling the government to divert supplies to regional areas facing acute shortages.
The crisis comes amid a sharp spike in global fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted supply chains and driven petrol and diesel costs to record highs.
Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians are already feeling the economic impact of the conflict despite not being directly involved.
“The war has caused the biggest spike in petrol and diesel prices in history… all Australians are paying higher prices because of it,” he said.
Albanese urged citizens to avoid panic buying and conserve fuel, assuring that authorities are working to stabilise supply.
Parliament is expected to reconvene on April 14 to formally present the emergency measures, as the government prepares for prolonged economic and supply disruptions linked to the global crisis.
