Police were forced to intervene after a free fuel giveaway in Melbourne caused major traffic disruption. The promotion, held at a Liberty petrol station in Truganina, led to long queues and road congestion as drivers rushed to take advantage of soaring fuel prices.
Victoria Police officers arrived at the scene around 7:30am to manage traffic. A spokesperson said: 'Leakes Rd became congested following a promotion at a service station where it’s understood free fuel was being handed out.' Police identified hazards due to the increased traffic and engaged with event organisers.
The organiser, Billy Beasley of RS Reward, posted a video on Instagram saying: 'We’ve got cars everywhere. I’ve just spoken with someone, he’s been here since 4am this morning. This is crazy, I didn’t expect this many people.' The promotion initially limited customers to $200 worth of fuel and banned jerry cans.
Following police intervention, organisers switched to distributing vouchers for later use. The incident comes as Australia faces fuel shortages, particularly in rural areas. Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen advised motorists to fill up in cities before travelling for the Easter weekend.
Data showed that by Friday, 182 of 2,400 petrol stations in New South Wales had run out of diesel. In Victoria, 76 stations were without diesel, while Queensland had 75, Western Australia 37, South Australia 28, and Tasmania seven. The government attributed regional shortages to panic buying and distribution issues, and is prioritising fuel delivery for farmers.
