BEN SMALL MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FORREST
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR ELECTORAL MATTERS
OPPOSITION WHIP


Encouraging Reports of Fuel Shortages


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Ben Small MP, the Federal Member for Forrest, has today called on South West residents and businesses to report fuel shortages in their area using a new website, www.nofuelhere.com.au as communities across regional Australia feel the sting of the nation's fuel crisis.

“From the family-owned trucking companies who literally keep food on the table and milk in the fridge, and are running out of diesel, through to local business owners who have staff suggesting that they can’t get into work because whatever fuel is available is now so expensive that they can’t afford to come in for their shift, this fuel crisis is really hurting the South West."

"Regional Australians don't have the luxury of jumping on a bus or working from home. Fuel is how we get to work, how we get our kids to school, how our businesses and farms keep running. When the pumps are empty, our communities grind to a halt.

"I'm asking every local resident who has experienced a fuel shortage — or knows someone who has — to report it at www.nofuelhere.com.au. Every report strengthens our case to the Albanese Government that regional Australia needs its fair share of fuel security."

The website, launched by the Coalition, allows Australians to quickly log fuel shortages at their local service station. Reports are aggregated to provide MPs and Senators with hard evidence of where shortages are occurring and how severely communities are being impacted.

Australia, which imports around 90 per cent of its refined fuel, has been particularly  exposed by the war in Iran. Australia is the only International Energy Agency member country that does not hold the mandatory 90-day fuel reserve.

Ben Small MP said the government's response had been inadequate for regional communities.

"The Albanese Government says there's no fuel shortage, just a distribution problem. That is cold comfort if you're in Rosa Brook and the only local servo at Darnell’s General Store is out of diesel as we’ve seen in recent days. Regional Australia can't wait for Canberra to catch up."

South West Residents are encouraged to report fuel shortages at: www.nofuelhere.com.au


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