Panic buying sees more than 100 Victorian service stations run out of fuel

More than 100 service stations in Victoria have run out of petrol while 83 are without diesel, as fuel shortages linked to conflict in the Middle East continue to spread globally.

However, according to the ABC, Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the shortages were driven by panic buying rather than a genuine lack of supply.

“The fuels coming into the country, they’re still flowing into the country,” Ms D’Ambrosio said on ABC Melbourne radio, echoing comments made yesterday by federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.

The affected service stations are located across both metropolitan and regional areas.

“In some areas of Victoria – not widespread – but in some areas of Victoria, demand has increased by anywhere between 300 and 400 per cent,” said the minister.

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“Most of these areas do have alternatives, and this is really important for communities, they need to be confident that there are alternative service stations providing the fuel.”

The shortages come less than a day after more than 100 service stations in New South Wales were confirmed by Premier Chris Minns to have run out of diesel, with 35 stations not having any fuel at all.

Prices have reached as high as $3 per litre for diesel in some areas of both states, with shortages potentially affecting the transport of fresh produce and supply to supermarkets.

The disruption follows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urging motorists last week to “be a good Australian” and avoid panic buying fuel.

The shortages suggest many motorists have ignored the prime minister’s request.

On Sunday, Mr Bowen said the nation’s fuel stocks had increased to 38 days, with measures including adjustments to fuel quality requirements helping maintain supply, despite the cancellation of six ships due to arrive in Australia.

Mr Bowen said the country remains a long way from widespread outages and is not yet at the point where fuel rationing would be required.

“It’s much more likely that there’ll be bumps in supply, but that governments will work with the refiners and the importers to manage those and minimise impact,” he told ABC’s Insiders on Sunday, March 22.

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