On April 16, Albanese announced two shipments totaling 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea, using new Strategic Fuel Reserve powers to support farmers, regional areas, and essential services.
The move followed a April 15 blaze at Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery that slashed petrol output by 40 percent, amid global oil disruptions cutting 20 percent of shipments and Australia’s heavy reliance on imports—over 90 percent of transport fuels.
Critics like Pauline Hanson and Tony Abbott called it insufficient, barely covering one day’s national diesel use of 92 million litres, while blaming refinery closures and net-zero policies; the government points to diversified supplies and long-term renewables.
