Barnaby Joyce Sounds Alarm Over Australia's Fuel Security in Heated Sunrise Exchange
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has issued a stark warning about Australia's fuel security, sparking a heated on-air clash with Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek on Channel Seven's Sunrise program. The fiery exchange unfolded as public concern mounts over potential nationwide fuel shortages, with Joyce blaming a decade of policy missteps for leaving the country dangerously exposed.
Regional Fuel Shortages Already Emerging
Joyce claimed that some regional service stations are already running out of fuel, highlighting specific towns in his electorate. 'In towns in my region, places like Manilla and Walgett, service stations are running out of fuel,' Joyce declared. 'Transwest is finding it almost impossible to get supply. United Petroleum can't access stock. Even in Albury last week, there was simply no fuel on offer.'
He added a particularly stark assessment of the situation: 'We don't have to worry about panic buying - there's no fuel to buy.' His comments come as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has prompted fears of nationwide shortages that could persist for months, exposing Australia's heavy reliance on imported liquid fuel during global turmoil.
Joyce Calls for Policy Shift Away from Climate Focus
The former deputy prime minister urged the government to radically change direction, stating: 'We need to ditch the climate agenda, scrap the climate change department and return to practical policies focused on supply chains, not trying to change the weather.' He declared that Australia's emergency fuel reserves are well below international standards, presenting alarming figures.
'The International Energy Agency wants us to keep 90 days' supply. We've had about 30 to 35 days for a decade—last week just 25. In some areas, there's simply no fuel at all. That's the reality,' Joyce emphasized during the televised confrontation.
Plibersek Dismisses Warnings as Scaremongering
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek firmly dismissed Joyce's warnings, accusing him of scaremongering and insisting Australia is well placed to weather international shocks. 'We have the largest fuel stocks in 15 years, three billion litres of diesel and one and a half billion litres of petrol in reserve, and more shipments are already on the way,' Plibersek countered. 'Panic buying is the last thing anyone should be doing.'
She highlighted the Albanese government's move to relocate the nation's emergency reserves to Australian soil, drawing a sharp contrast with previous Coalition policy. 'When Angus Taylor was energy minister, our emergency reserves were in Texas,' Plibersek pointed out, referring to the Opposition Leader's tenure in the energy portfolio.
Refinery Closure Debate Intensifies
The exchange escalated further as Joyce linked the closure of Australian refineries to emissions policies, an accusation Plibersek flatly rejected. 'There were six refineries when the Coalition were in government - four closed under them,' she fired back. 'We acted to keep the final two operating. The only remaining refineries are still running because Labor stepped in.'
Joyce conceded that fuel security had been mishandled by governments of both political persuasions over an extended period. 'Governments over the past 10 to 15 years got it wrong, and I never supported those decisions,' he acknowledged during the heated discussion.
Government Assurances on Fuel Supplies
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has echoed the government's assurances, telling a Climate Action Week event that Australia maintains strong fuel stocks and that all expected deliveries of petrol, diesel and jet fuel have arrived on schedule. He attributed regional shortfalls to a temporary demand spike, particularly for diesel, rather than underlying supply problems.
Bowen credited post-Ukraine crisis measures for Australia's improved position, stating: 'We now keep oil stockpiles on Australian soil, not overseas. The fundamentals are strong. Australia's in a good place to withstand external shocks.' The government maintains that its policies have ensured adequate fuel supplies despite global uncertainties.
