More than 500 service stations across Australia have reported running out of petrol or diesel, despite consistent fuel deliveries to the country. The shortages are driven by widespread panic buying rather than actual supply issues, according to government officials.
State-by-State Breakdown of Fuel Depletion
As of March 24, New South Wales is the hardest hit, with at least 289 stations dry – including 164 specifically out of diesel. Victoria follows with 162 stations affected, while Queensland has 55 diesel shortages and 35 unleaded petrol outages.
South Australia reports 46 stations without fuel, Western Australia has six, and Tasmania has six unleaded and one diesel shortage. The Australian Capital Territory remains unaffected as of yesterday.
Panic Buying and Government Response
The situation is fueled by speculation surrounding potential fuel rationing under the 1984 Liquid Fuel Emergency Act. However, the government has explicitly ruled out fuel caps limiting individual purchases at the pump. Despite the rising number of affected sites, which represents around 8% of all stations nationwide, officials maintain that Australia has sufficient fuel supply overall.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged citizens to avoid panic buying, stating, “My message to Australians is to not take more fuel than you need.” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen echoed this sentiment while also announcing regulatory changes to increase diesel imports for critical industries like agriculture and freight.
No Excise Cuts, Supply Remains Sufficient
The government has also dismissed calls for temporary fuel excise cuts to mitigate record-high prices. Despite localized shortages, fuel supply into Australia remains adequate, and officials emphasize that panic buying is exacerbating the problem.
The current shortages are a direct result of consumer behavior, not a systemic lack of fuel. Continued panic will only worsen the situation, and responsible consumption is key to stabilizing supply.
