- Cook Government to compel fuel industry to provide full visibility of fuel chain supply
- Follows letter sent by Premier last week demanding information from industry
- Targeted measure to help State Government ensure fuel is sent where it is needed most
- Consistent with National Fuel Security Plan to 'use legislative provisions' to access data
The Cook Labor Government will take immediate measures to activate emergency powers to compel industry to provide information on their fuel supply chains.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson will seek an order from the Governor this afternoon to utilise emergency powers under of the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act.
Once made, this declaration will allow regulations to come into effect from tomorrow, giving the Minister powers to compel suppliers to provide the data and information needed to ensure fuel is sent where it is needed most.
Parliament will be required to be recalled on 14 April to allow the orders to be tabled.
Premier Roger Cook last week wrote to the major fuel suppliers and demanded they provide specific data and information to the Western Australian Government.
While some companies have provided this information, others have failed to do so.
Despite assurances from major suppliers that fuel shipments are expected to continue to arrive in April at normal levels, the ongoing conflict, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and other circumstances in the Gulf region have impacted on the distribution of fuel in key regional areas and resulted in some mining and agricultural businesses experiencing shortages. If these circumstances continue, the distribution of fuel could be further affected.
The Cook Government was the first government in Australia to act to address the fuel shock caused by the war in the Middle East. This has included:
- delivering on a seven-point plan agreed with industry on 11 March at the Premier's fuel security roundtable;
- prioritising the delivery of additional fuel supplies into key regional areas through the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation's Fuel Industry Operations Group;
- appointing a State Controller to address acute challenges across the fuel supply chain, with millions of litres in extra fuel sourced through alternative distribution pathways;
- standing up the Industry Support Working Group, chaired by Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, to keep WA's economy strong;
- leading the development of the National Fuel Security Plan with the Commonwealth Government, on behalf of other States and Territories, which was adopted this week by National Cabinet.
Using legislative provisions to ensure timely data and information from industry is a key action for State and Territory Governments under Level 2 of the National Fuel Security Plan. These emergency powers will also enable the WA Government to implement actions at higher levels of the national plan if required.
Utilising powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act is not the same as activating a State of Emergency under the Emergency Management Act, which was done during the COVID period.
The Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act gives the State Government access to powers targeted specifically at Western Australia's fuel supply chain, allowing government to get better information and respond appropriately. The Emergency Management Act has broader powers to direct individual behavior.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"I have been clear that I will put Western Australians' interests first to make sure fuel is flowing where it is needed most.
"We have had success in ensuring fuel is reaching our regions, but our efforts are being hampered by not having full visibility of the fuel supply chain.
"That's why today we will seek orders from the Governor to utilise emergency powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act and make regulations to compel information from fuel suppliers and distributors.
"Today's actions will enable us to see exactly where fuel is going, and make sure it is getting where it is needed most.
"I will always do the right thing for WA and make the decisions I need to make to keep WA strong."
Comments attributed to Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber Jade Sanderson:
"By activating powers available to me under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act, Iwill be able to make orders compelling suppliers and distributors to provide critical information about fuel chain supplies across our State.
"I thank the suppliers and distributors who have already given us this information, but we need to understand the full supply chain to ensure we can meet the needs of key economic sectors like agriculture and mining.
"While this seems like a big step, it is a targeted sensible measure that will ensure we can direct fuel where it is needed most, particularly to our regional communities."
