Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson met with the governor to enhance fuel distribution in Western Australia, granting the government additional powers over fuel suppliers. These powers can only be activated during a declared state of emergency under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act, although Premier Roger Cook has assured the public that the government is not declaring an emergency, but rather exercising specific legislative provisions for transparency in fuel supply chains.
The government’s new powers aim to gather critical information from fuel suppliers regarding stock availability and distribution routes. Cook highlighted the government’s lack of clear visibility on fuel locations and logistic flows, stating they cannot compel suppliers to change fuel allocations directly but can prioritise the distribution of available stock.
Starting from midnight Thursday, suppliers must provide essential information within 48 hours or face significant fines—up to $100,000 per day for corporations and $10,000 for individuals. This decision follows an earlier request from the Premier to six suppliers, of which only half agreed to cooperate in sharing information.
Both Sanderson and Cook emphasised that these measures do not mean immediate changes will affect the general public. They stressed that the focus is on acquiring information to address the fuel supply issues without causing panic.
In the midst of these developments, fuel prices began to decrease after the federal government reduced the fuel excise by half, cutting 26 cents per litre. This prompted many motorists to rush to petrol stations, resulting in a temporary surge in demand, with petrol prices dropping significantly. In response, fuel stations lowered prices by nearly 10 cents per litre for diesel and 7 cents for unleaded. Further reductions are expected, with unleaded prices anticipated to drop by another 13 cents per litre, while diesel prices may fall by 10 cents.
In light of the rush for fuel, police have increased patrols near service stations to combat potential theft and ensure public safety during this high-demand period. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch reassured the public that authorities are collaborating closely with fuel stations to address any reported crimes.
Overall, the state government is aiming to ensure transparency within the fuel supply system while managing the current fuel crisis triggered by international factors, particularly the recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.