Ahead of the national cabinet meeting to address increasing concerns over fuel shortages, Australian Industry Group asks Prime Minister Albanese to prioritise a national approach to managing a rapidly escalating crisis.
There are many lessons learnt from the Covid response; chief among them is that when we address challenges as a nation, we get better outcomes.
States should not be tempted to develop a local response to what is a global issue. If states were to go it alone or a national approach fragments, it would again send a message to industry and households that our federation is incapable of responding cohesively in times of difficulty.
It should be stressed that Australian businesses would not look kindly upon states that went their own way and sought to establish different rules and standards in response to the current situation. There is little doubt those states would be seen as a greater investment risk in the future.
The Liquid Fuel Emergency Act provides us with clear guidance. The Commonwealth Minister responsible for Energy has the power to direct the implementation of a national system to ration fuel over a pre-determined period of time (no longer than three months) in the event of a declared liquid fuel emergency.
Industry requires as much predictability as is possible in these uncertain times. A fragmented approach would inhibit our ability to manufacture and deliver the food, medicine and other essential goods and services that the economy demands.
