- Premier Roger Cook calls on fuel suppliers to provide better visibility on fuel supply chain
- Letter sent to fuel suppliers requesting information on stock levels and procedures
- Security and Emergency Committee of Cabinet held today
- Committee formed to support actions needed to enhance the security and emergency preparedness of WA
Premier Roger Cook has demanded fuel suppliers provide better visibility of the fuel supply chain, to help the government manage potential fuel challenges resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
While the Western Australian Government, in partnership with industry, has had successes in alleviating fuel shortages in many parts of our State, challenges remain.
To ensure better visibility of the fuel supply chain in Western Australia, Premier Cook has formally written to the five major fuel suppliers requesting that they provide a higher level of visibility to address challenges across the supply chain - and help affected industries, in particular, the agriculture industry preparing to seed essential food crops.
The information requested includes:
- details on their stock hold position in WA;
- how they intend to work with the State Government to prioritise and facilitate supplying gasoline and/or diesel fuel to regional, agricultural or maritime consumers in WA;
- how they intend to work with the State Government to support distributors that primarily supply these fuels to regional areas of WA;
- any change in their supply of volumes into wholesale spot markets; and
- a list of all distributors in Western Australia that they have supplied, or intend to supply, diesel and gasoline liquid fuel.
The Premier reminded suppliers of the powers that the WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister holds to compel the provision of information in the event a State of Emergency is triggered under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972, at Level 3 of the State Hazard Plan.
WA currently sits at Level 1 of the State Hazard Plan.
The letter was issued following today's meeting of the Security and Emergency Committee of Cabinet.
The Committee met to consider the impacts of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, as well as ongoing fuel challenges.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Both petrol and diesel are critical to the Western Australian way of life, as well as WA industries including mining, maritime, and agriculture.
"While, in partnership with industry, we have had successes in alleviating fuel shortages in many parts of our State, challenges remain.
"That's why I have written to fuel suppliers calling on them to comply with all future WA Government requests for information relating to their supply chains.
"This information is critical for government to inform our ongoing efforts to get fuel to where it is needed most, particularly our farmers.
"While my preference is to continue to work in partnership with fuel suppliers to alleviate pressure points across the State, should the need arise, my government will not hesitate to use the powers available for us to keep WA strong."
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"I'm pleased to report that we are seeing some green shoots from the work that's been done to secure WA's fuel supply, with several distributors releasing significant increases in fuel.
"Enhanced reporting on FuelWatch will also provide reassurance to road users and improve real time intelligence on supply.
"However, we know there is more work to be done, and we continue to work closely with industry and the community to keep WA running."
