COALITION PLAN TO SECURE MORE FUEL FOR AUSTRALIA

THE HON ANGUS TAYLOR MP
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HUME

SENATOR THE HON MATT CANAVAN
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRADE, INVESTMENT & TOURISM
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND

THE HON DAN TEHAN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR WANNON

TONY PASIN MP
MEMBER FOR BARKER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR SCRUTINY OF GOVERNMENT WASTE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR FISHERIES AND FORESTRY

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

The Coalition will more than double Australia’s minimum fuel reserves to 60 days and deliver at
least 1 billion litres of new storage through an $800 million Australian Fuel Security Facility,
building long-term resilience against future supply shocks in Barker.

Under the plan, the threshold amount of fuel held by industry in Australia’s fuel reserves through
the Minimum Stockholding Obligation would be lifted over time to increase stocks of gasoline,
jet fuel and diesel. Currently, industry is required to hold around 30 days worth of reserves for
each fuel type.

In addition to raising the threshold, a dedicated $800 million program will be established to
invest in new large-scale fuel storage projects across the nation, significantly boosting the
capacity of industry to hold more fuel onshore.

Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor said Australians expect their country to keep running,
but in a crisis the Prime Minister is always last to lead.

“This is a plan the Prime Minister should pick up today. No excuses, no delays,” Mr Taylor said.
“If fuel stops, Australia stops. It’s that simple. Trucks don’t move, supermarkets don’t stock,
businesses shut their doors.”

“We are putting forward a practical plan to make sure that never happens. More fuel in reserve,
more storage on the ground, and a country that can stand on its own two feet.”
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said families and businesses needed confidence that
fuel would be there when they needed it.

“This plan is just common sense. Keep more fuel here in Australia so we are not relying on
overseas supply lines that can be cut overnight,” Senator Canavan said.

“We cannot keep hoping for the best. We need to be ready, and this plan gets us there.”
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan said the Coalition’s plan
delivered a clear pathway to stronger fuel security.

“The Coalition understands that fuel security is national security: in government, we legislated
the Minimum Stockholding Obligation, funded new fuel storage, and backed our refineries,” Mr
Tehan said.

“This stands in stark contrast to the Albanese Labor Government, which has cut funding for fuel
storage projects over three federal budgets.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP said the national fuel crisis had exposed critical fuel storage
gaps right across South Australia.

“This crisis has exposed Australia’s vulnerability to global supply shocks of critical liquid fuels,
including in Barker,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Coalition’s fuel security package will more than double our fuel reserves and deliver a new
wave of vital storage projects - it's about locking in our long-term resilience so Australia can
stand on its own two feet.

“Australia runs on diesel. It keeps farmers farming, trucks moving and regional communities
going. This plan is about securing that supply and making sure regional Australia is never left
exposed again.”

“I urge the federal government to back our plan and, importantly, commit to increasing our
minimum fuel threshold on 1 January 2027 as a positive first step towards locking in our fuel
security.”