A Government claim that “our nation is fuel secure” have been rubbished by the defence expert that warned of a fuel supply crisis a decade ago.
As petrol prices surge amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen claims that “thanks to work done by this government, our nation is fuel secure”.
That claim was shot down by defence analyst John Blackburn, who wrote a research paper published by the NRMA in 2014 that predicted fuel shortages following conflict in the Middle East.
Blackburn said the Energy Minister’s claim was “disingenuous”.
“They’re not being honest and forthright with the Australian country,” he said.
“We’re not fuel secure. There is fuel on its way but until it gets here it’s not under control.
“Australians aren’t stupid, they can tell when you’re not being forthright with them. Just tell the truth.”
Average diesel prices have reached record highs in Sourth Australia, rising by 47 per cent since the Iran conflict started.
Bowen said Albanese Government policies will help with fuel security in the long run.
The government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is already changing the market toward vehicles that are cheaper to run, such as hybrid and electric cars.
The policy, introduced under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government, aims to encourage carmakers to sell more fuel-efficient vehicles in Australia.
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The goal is to reduce emissions and cut costs for drivers. Bowen believes the standards will finally provide Australians with the same variety of vehicles that are available overseas.
“After 20 years in the too hard basket, we have a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard that is giving Australian consumers what they deserve: choices just as good as consumers overseas,” Mr Bowen said.
The minister also pointed to early data from the NVES regulator that shows car brands are responding by introducing more efficient vehicles to Australia.
“Overall brands are now selling more cars, which are more efficient – meaning they’re using less petrol,” Mr Bowen said.
“Despite claims that these standards would be the death of the industry this early data actually shows the market is meeting the demand well.”
According to the government, more than a quarter of new vehicles sold in Australia are now hybrids or electric.
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The share of EVs and plug-in hybrids rose from less than two per cent of the market when Labor came to power to about 15 per cent today.
The variety of EV models available has also grown quickly.
“When we came to government in 2022, there were just 45 EVs on the market – now there are over 160,” Mr Bowen said.
“When we came to government, there were no EV models under $45K. Now there’s eight.”
The government insists the new standards don’t force Australians to buy electric vehicles and don’t impose a tax on petrol cars.
“These standards don’t force brands to only sell EVs. Nor does it mean there is a tax on using a petrol car,” Mr Bowen said.
“You can choose to drive any car you like is – the point is you will actually now have more choice, not less.”
However, while the policy aims to increase the number of efficient vehicles on the market, the real test will be whether Australian drivers choose them.
Even with more hybrids and EVs available, petrol and diesel vehicles still dominate the market, leaving many households vulnerable to global fuel disruptions.
The latest price increases come as tensions rise across the Middle East, a region that provides a significant portion of the world’s oil.
This situation is driving global crude prices up, which affects prices at Australian pumps.
Mr Bowen stated the government is also monitoring fuel retailers to prevent the international crisis from being used to unjustifiably raise prices.
“At the same time we’ve taken steps to ensure fuel retailers and the industry don’t use an international crisis as a commercial opportunity,” Mr Bowen said.
“We’ll keep acting to make sure Australian motorists are looked after.”
