The South Australian government has proposed legislation to expand its authority to impose fuel rationing, as concerns persist over global oil supply disruptions linked to the Middle East war, it said on 3 May.
Rationing measures would only be activated if Australia's National Fuel Security plan, currently at level 2, escalates to level 4, the most severe classification.
The proposed amendments to the state's Petroleum Products Regulation Act would allow fuel rationing to be imposed for up to 90 days at a time, replacing the current seven-day limit. The 90-day period could be renewed repeatedly if required, the South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas announced on 3 May.
The proposed framework would also introduce stricter penalties for market misconduct during supply shortages, including fines of up to A$1mn ($650,000) for fuel retailers, wholesalers and suppliers found to be engaging in price exploitation.
State opposition leader Ashton Hurn called for the establishment of a strategic gasoil reserve, proposing a 20mn litre buffer stock to support essential sectors during supply disruptions.
Western Australia (WA) created a separate strategic fuel reserve to the national minimal stockpile obligation in mid-April. The state government purchased 4mn litres (25,157bl) of gasoil to be stored in the Kimberley region, north of WA, while an additional 8mn litres (50,314 bl) of gasoil will be stored between Esperance and Kwinana.
