WA Premier Threatens Emergency Powers as Diesel Shortages Surge 350%
Premier Roger Cook has sent a formal letter to fuel suppliers in Western Australia, warning that he will not hesitate to use emergency powers if they fail to provide detailed information on the distribution of diesel and petrol. This move comes as the state faces a severe fuel crisis, with diesel outages increasing by almost 350% in just two days.
Premier's Ultimatum to Fuel Suppliers
On Friday, Mr Cook announced that he had dispatched the letter, setting a deadline of Tuesday for compliance. He indicated that if suppliers do not voluntarily share data on fuel movements, he may invoke powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act. The Premier rejected suggestions that he should have already used these powers without warning, emphasising a preference for cooperative solutions.
Our preference is for them to share this information voluntarily, Mr Cook stated. But I won't hesitate to make the decisions I need to make to get the information that we need. He noted that the situation remains fluid, with the state currently at level one of the hazard management plan for energy disruption.
Alarming Fuel Shortage Statistics
According to the FuelWatch website, the crisis has escalated rapidly. On Friday, 53 service stations across Western Australia were completely out of diesel, representing a nearly 350% increase from just two days prior. Additionally, 17 stations reported shortages of unleaded petrol, compounding concerns over fuel availability.
The Premier also highlighted growing worries about fertiliser supplies, which are heavily reliant on imports from the Middle East. A significant proportion of our fertiliser comes from the Middle East, those supply chains have been shot to pieces, he explained, linking the issue to ongoing conflicts in the region.
Rejection of Rationing and Opposition Calls
Mr Cook has firmly dismissed calls for fuel rationing or price caps, arguing that such measures are not yet necessary. He also rejected the State Opposition's request to postpone non-essential events, such as a weekend car rally in Pemberton, to reduce fuel demand.
We want people to do the right thing, we don't want people to undertake activities that would deny someone else the fuel supplies that they need, the Premier said. He emphasised that the primary focus remains on improving fuel distribution, particularly to support farmers.
Future Interventions and Global Impacts
The Premier declined to specify when further government intervention might be required, noting that the conflict in Iran and its impact on supplies through the Strait of Hormuz are critical factors. The conflict in the Middle East is the key pivot point, he remarked. If that conflict is shortened well then you'll see those international supply chains stood back up. But at this stage we're focused on those fuel supply issues.
List of Affected Service Stations
The fuel shortages are widespread across Western Australia, affecting numerous locations. Below is a summary of the impacted stations:
- Service Stations Without Unleaded Petrol: Includes Balingup Liquor & General Store, Vibe Broadwater, Harbour Rd Truckstop in Chadwick, and multiple Ampol Foodary and 7-Eleven outlets across regions such as Esperance, Henderson, and Carnarvon.
- Petrol Stations Without Diesel: Encompasses locations like Vibe Bullsbrook, Geographe IGA, Shell Geraldton Truckstop, and numerous 7-Eleven stores in suburbs including Ascot, Balga, and Joondalup, among others.
The full list underscores the extensive nature of the crisis, with shortages impacting both urban and rural areas. The government continues to monitor the situation closely, urging suppliers to cooperate to alleviate the strain on fuel resources.
