- State of Emergency under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972 extended
- New FuelWatch website upgrades to strengthen transparency amid record demand
- Part of the Cook Labor Government's nation-leading response to the fuel crisis
The Cook Labor Government is putting Western Australia first by extending fuel emergency powers and strengthening FuelWatch amid ongoing disruption to global shipping routes.
Announced today, the changes will shore up the State's fuel supply, giving motorists and industry confidence.
Since April, the State of Emergency under the Fuel Energy and Power Resources Act 1972 has required major suppliers to provide weekly reports on their holdings of petrol and diesel, giving WA the country's clearest picture of local supply chains.
This information is critical for fuel security monitoring, providing visibility, and allowing decision-makers to quickly identify and address gaps in supply.
With continued global disruption to shipping routes in the Middle East, an extension of the powers has been deemed necessary to protect WA's interests and ensure certainty for businesses - particularly in the mining and agriculture sectors.
The proposal will be considered by Parliament today, with a view to extending the fuel State of Emergency until 29 March 2027.
In addition, a series of improvements to the FuelWatch website, including an enhanced geolocational functionality to identify the user's location, will help users more easily identify nearby fuel retailers and compare fuel prices in their area.
In the six months since the Middle East conflict began, the website has been visited more than 17 million times, with monthly visits increasing from around one million to an average of almost three million.
Supported through a $485,000 investment, the improvements will also strengthen FuelWatch's ability to analyse fuel pricing, support compliance and investigative activities, and respond more effectively during periods of market disruption.
The changes are part of the Cook Labor Government's nation-leading response to the fuel crisis, which included implementing a Fuel Security State Controller and Fuel Industry Operations Group, establishing a strategic stockpile of 20 million litres of diesel and providing the one off $100 fuel support payment.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Our access to detailed supply chain information - from port to petrol pump - has kept WA moving throughout the fuel crisis.
"While our careful management of the situation has protected the WA community from the worst impacts of ongoing global disruption, we're not taking our foot off the gas.
"Extending the State of Emergency is a proactive and responsible measure that will ensure we continue to have a clear view of supply chains, giving confidence to WA businesses and communities."
As stated by Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"I know how important FuelWatch is to motorists, and with more than 17 million visits in the past six months, it's clear Western Australians are relying on the service more than ever.
"That's why we're improving FuelWatch, making it easier for motorists to access accurate information, find the cheapest fuel retailers in their area, and report any price discrepancies they encounter.
"While FuelWatch already receives reports from consumers, this enhancement will make the process more convenient by enabling reports to be submitted directly through the website.
"Consumer feedback complements FuelWatch's existing monitoring activities and helps ensure reported fuel prices remain accurate.
"By improving the FuelWatch platform, we're ensuring Western Australians continue to have access to the information they need to find the best value at the bowser."
