Dan Tehan, Federal Member for Wannon, today called on residents of his electorate 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.
“I’ve been on the ground with families and farmers around Wannon who are feeling real anxiety about rising diesel prices and unreliable supply. Some are already rationing fuel, unsure how they’ll get to work, school or keep their farms operating.
"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.
Mr Tehan said the government's response has been wholly inadequate for regional communities.
"The Albanese Government says there's no shortage just a distribution problem. That means nothing in rural communities where a single empty servo can bring daily life to a halt. Regional Australia can't wait for Canberra to catch up."
Residents are encouraged to report fuel shortages at: www.nofuelhere.com.au.
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Contact: Sandie Gustus M | 0408 564 232 E | sandie.gustus@aph.gov.au
