Albanese government not ruling out a $40 limit on fuel purchases – but says we’re still a long way from that scenario
The Albanese government has not ruled out imposing a $40 limit on fuel purchases as part of national rationing measures, though ministers have said Australia is far from that situation.
Under the hypothetical plan, petrol pumps would be programmed to shut down at the $40 mark.
However, the rule could only take effect if the Governor-General declares a liquid fuel emergency after advice from Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
Education Minister Jason Clare said the cap was part of emergency contingency plans but insisted Australia had not reached that stage yet.
‘I think it was originally set up under John Howard and that sets out the different sort of contingency measures that governments would take if needed,’ he told the ABC.
‘They’re the sorts of measures that we’re taking to make sure people have got petrol to put in the tank and diesel for farm equipment, as well as for vehicles in the cities.
‘But any talk of rationing, I think it’s way too soon to be talking about that… We’re not there yet.’
Clare echoed Jim Chalmers’ concerns that the Iran conflict had the potential to hit the economy as hard as the Covid-19 pandemic or the global financial crisis.
The Albanese government has not ruled out imposing a $40 limit on fuel purchases as part of national rationing measures
But ministers have said any talk of rationing is too soon, adding: ‘We’re not there yet’
‘We’re not having bombs dropped on us, but we are being hit by it and we’re being hit at the petrol station,’ he added.
‘I think Jim is absolutely right when he says all of this depends on how long this goes on and then how long it takes the world economy to recover from it.’
The measures have been outlined in the national fuel emergency response manual, obtained by former SA Senator Rex Patrick and seen by The Daily Telegraph.
Any limit would have to be set out by the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee (NOSEC), which includes federal and state energy ministers, ExxonMobil, BP and Ampol.
But drivers would not be penalised if they visited several petrol stations on the same day.
The restrictions would not apply to ‘essential users’, like amublance drivers, police, fire services and taxis.
The manual has also outlined how the Albanese government could cede stewardship of rationing to state and territory energy ministers.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for comment.
On Tuesday, Energy Minister Chris Bowen insisted the government was working ‘constructively with state governments and will continue to work constructively with industry’.
