The Malinauskas Government will introduce strengthened emergency powers to the South Australian Parliament this week, enabling on-the-spot fines for individuals who breach fuel-rationing laws. The new legislation also allows penalties to be issued to vehicle owners involved in a breach and permits the seizure of unlawfully obtained fuel.
Enhanced penalties for assaults on fuel workers
Under the updated laws, courts can impose imprisonment of up to three years for assaults, threats, or intimidation against workers in the petroleum supply chain during an emergency, including service station console operators and tanker drivers. Minister for Energy and Mining, Tom Koutsantonis, stated: “In a time of crisis, the last thing we want to see is customers taking their frustrations out on retail staff and others working in the petroleum supply chain. We've previously acted to increase penalties for abusing, threatening or assaulting emergency services workers and public transport staff. If an emergency order is invoked, the same level of enhanced penalties will apply to fuel workers, to ensure they can continue to serve the community when they are needed most.”
Background and global pressures
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has placed enormous pressure on global oil supply, prompting the Government to act. Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “We have acted decisively to ensure retailers are complying with their real-time fuel pricing obligations, but there is more to do to ensure South Australia is prepared for every potential scenario. As always when confronted with a crisis beyond our control, we are hoping for the best while doing all we can to prepare for the worst. To be clear, this is not a signal that we expect fuel rationing will occur. It is simply ensuring that should the Commonwealth Government take action, the state is in the best position to respond nimbly.”
Current fuel situation
While petrol, diesel, and jet fuel continue to arrive in South Australia with prices significantly lower than earlier in the crisis, the Government says it is taking every reasonable step to ensure the state can continue to function should conditions deteriorate. Fuel prices soared following US-led attacks on Iran.
Extending emergency rationing periods
Under the current 30-year-old legislation, rationing can only be imposed for seven days at a time, with a maximum of 28 days without parliamentary approval. The new laws would allow the Governor to declare an initial rationing period of up to 90 days, with the ability to extend for further 90-day periods as needed. This would bring South Australia into closer alignment with the Commonwealth and other states, supporting consistent emergency arrangements and improving confidence in cross-border operations.
Strengthened enforcement and compliance
The strengthened powers complement the Government's existing commitments to tighten enforcement of real-time fuel pricing laws. Recruitment is underway for additional inspectors within the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs, delivering on the Government's $1.2 million plan to conduct an extra 100 inspections each month. A recent compliance blitz resulted in nine petrol stations being fined nearly $8,000 after more than 500 inspections to ensure retailers are meeting real-time fuel data requirements.
