Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new Fuel Supply Taskforce after National Cabinet’s March 19, 2026 meeting, aiming to redirect secure reserves—over 30 days’ worth—to areas hit hardest by panic buying.
Shortages have shut service stations, with prices jumping to $2.19 per litre for petrol and $2.30 for diesel, potentially lasting years due to the Iran-Israel conflict and Australia’s reliance on imported refined fuel.
The government released 762 million litres from strategic stocks and eased standards temporarily, while critics question the taskforce coordinator’s climate background and blame past policy decisions.
