Media Release

8 May 2018: KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter used Question Time in Parliament today to address Australia’s worsening fuel security crisis which currently sits at just 20 days supply left for petrol and asked the Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, what the Government was doing to guarantee the Nation won’t be ‘walking’ in six months’ time.
Mr Katter asked,
“Are you aware Australia’s principal representative of motoring the NRMA Admiral Blackburn’s report said:
“We need clear government assurances that adequate Australian controlled fuel sources exist to supply essential needs in any disruption whether political, terrorist or armed conflict.” In 2014, 23 days’ supply.
Minister Frydenberg has now announced shrinkage to only 20 days.
Will government deliver mandating and action, as taken in the U.S., delivering:
• 24% shale oil
• 10% ethanol.
Providing vital security of supply and $7b/year in import replacement.
And overcoming Frydenberg’s shrinkage.”
Minister for Home Affairs deflected the response to the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg who responded by acknowledging the seriousness of the issue and that Australia is increasing its reliance on imports as a result of the closure of its oil refineries.
The Minister also acknowledged Australia has exhausted its oil fields and said that parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s report on the Security of Critical Infrastructure Bill 2017 currently in review would be finalised by Christmas this year.
According to the International Energy Agency guidelines, the fuel stockholding threshold should remain at 90 days.
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