Fuel supply/ shortages

DMaxer · Guru

RE: Fuel supply/ shortages

rmoor · Guru

So if we have 82 ships coming, 5 missing and 3 added, then why do our fuel prices continue to increase?

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

Re cigarettes black market. It puzzles me why such a bulky item can get through our borders undetected. Others will understand this process better but a mate told me that the containers they come in cant go by road because of their size. They are moved to Botany then go out by rail and are not inspected or xrayd.

rmoor · Guru

Re: Cigarettes.

I am mystified why all the dodgy little shops that sell them remain open?
Too easy for a secret shopper to buy some surely?

Why when detected selling them is the worst they can do is suspend them from trading for six weeks.
What happened to "life" bans for Federal Government duty thieves???

The taxes on cigarettes are HUGE, why then has this been going undetected at all levels for so long?

Fuel, cigarettes, ripping off the poor old customer and taxpayers for duty seems to be the norm?

DMaxer · Guru

Our fuel prices were regulated up until 1998. Up until that time the Federal Government could regulate prices because we refined most of our own crude. At that time, that cerebral giant little Johnny deregulated our prices and so we then paid parity with the Singapore price, which in turn is driven by supply and demand and our dollar vis a vis the American dollar. Not satisfied with that, those economic masterminds also withdrew the subsidies for our refineries resulting in all but two closing. They, in their infinite wisdom, thought it was better to export our crude and then buy it back at global market rates. You know, the same clown that sold our gold reserves and failed to impose tax on multinational miners.

Plain Truth · Guru

So why didn't Rudd the Dud reverse the situation when he beat cerebral giant Little Johnny?

-- Edited by Plain Truth on Friday 27th of March 2026 06:03:10 PM

Are We Lost · Guru

As Plain Truth said.

And multiple leaders from both sides of the fence could have reveresed the decisiion as well, but they did not. To avoid this becoming too political I will just respond with the main pushes that led up to deregulation and when.

With the help of AI ...

The first major push was in 1988 with the Trade Practices - Study into Regulation in the Petroleum Industry 1988. It recommended deregulation. Then there were multiple Price Surveillance Studies, culminating in the ...

Industry Commission - Petroleum Products report 1994. The download link to the full pdf is on that page.

I confess to not having read the entire 328 pages, but the 12 recommendations are on page XLII (page 42 of the Overview). The first two recommendations are:

Terminate price surveillance for petroleum products

Refrain from regulation petroleum prices.

So DMaxer, perhaps you should give a similar vitriolic comment for those who were in power then.

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

The people that pay for a study / report get the result they paid for ....

DMaxer · Guru

Of course they looked at deregulation but chose not to. The deregulation was not the problem, closing the refineries shifted us from being mostly self reliant to depending on overseas supply. Once you no longer control the production and the supply, it is a bit difficult to regulate the price. You are stuck with market parity or alternatively, no supply.

As for Rudd and co, they brought in a tax on mining companies however when that onion eater and his stooges were voted in they abolished that quick smart and then danced furiously to their mining bosses tunes. Look at today, Gina owns the town drunk and the range.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Saturday 28th of March 2026 09:01:35 AM

rmoor · Guru

That mining tax was brainless.

I read the flowchart on that, it was like a huge Snakes and Ladders board.
It would have puzzled Albert Einstein.

Wonder what the long term plan for fuel, storage etc in Australia will be now.
No change one would imagine looking at the form guide so far of those in charge.
This fuel shortage has highlighted the shortcomings on our reliance on fuel.

It has indicated how weak and brittle our system is and how it can affect agriculture, shop shelves etc.
It is weird how formerly industrious Australia is now a weak consumer.
I went to buy some pickled cucumbers recently.
Six brands at Woolies in jars.
Five were from India and one from Australia.
We can't even buy Aussie cucumbers in Australia anymore!!! Ridiculous!!!
Having now put ourselves in this position, those prices will increase for good if fuel becomes scarce and we rely on things that grow wild in my back paddock to be imported.
Utter madness.

It also may not have even started yet, things could get significantly worse before they get better.

I feel sorry for those with a mortgage, a few hungry kids and commute long distances to work.
They will soon not even be able to afford sausages, or imported cucumbers......

dogbox · Guru

no point un complaining about the situation goverments of both idealologies have had ample oportunities and had chances to adress the problem that every one could see coming

DMaxer · Guru

I don't really see the need for doom and gloom. We are a very rich and prosperous country and we collectively have probably been living beyond our means for some time We have probably one of the best standards of living in the world and geographically, we are positioned away from the areas that have seen conflict after conflict for centuries,

The worst thing that will happen if this ridiculous war continues is that we will be experiencing a fair amount of pain around the wallet for some time

.My parents and grandparents told me about what life was like during the depressions and the World Wars, It was tough in Australia but nothing like what happened overseas.

One good thing that comes out of these times is that it gives both the country and the person a chance to have a reset. One reassesses what is actually important in life and the difference in what one wants and what one needs. No one needs to eat imported foods. It is a matter of choice. When I do I know that it has given some poor bugger overseas a job and a quid and if it really did concern me then I would either not bother or grow it myself. It is not a big deal. I am just glad we as a country we had the brains to stay right out of these two blokes' war. Imagine going to war without being backed by congress, just one bloke making the decision.

On a brighter note, a few good things generally happen when things go a bit pear shaped fuel wise. I travel about ten months of the year and found that when I go to places that are in season and popular I get hit with inflated prices, some pretty poor attitudes from accommodation suppliers and food outlets and sometimes a bit of hostility from locals who enjoy nomads' money but not their physical presence. Perhaps phrases such as "that's the rate mate, take it our leave it" or "have you got a booking mate" will soon be replaced with "we have a special deal" or " welcome, where would you like to sit, plenty of room.". I noticed that a few years back when the bum fell out of mining in a few areas, totally different attitude to travellers then.

I usually plan a bit of a loose budget, how much for fuel and accommodation, food and beer etc. Now, if fuel is double then I will just take twice as long to get there, free camp a bit more and then find the accommodation and service will be cheaper and better.

I have total confidence in our elected officials. they are well briefed by both public and private sector experts. They have got us through wars, a depression and the global financial crisis. Deliveries are now being underwritten so we will keep getting fuel, just going to cost more for a while if he want to maintain our current lifestyle.

Happy days.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Saturday 28th of March 2026 10:39:20 AM

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

You have total confidence in our elected officials. Wow.

Whenarewethere · Guru

DMaxer wrote:
My parents and grandparents told me about what life was like during the depressions and the World Wars, It was tough in Australia but , just going to cost more for a while if he want to maintain our current lifestyle.

My Dad worked for DeHavilland, bombing Germany etc. My uncle was a test fighter pilot in WWII, the kindest of people, our close families got on so well, included his twin sister's death in England which my sister & myself were there for. Also for his funeral in Tasmania. I was there for a month to help my Aunt.

(back tracking somewhat) Many decades later I married a German girl.

What everyone went through, surviving hardship, we simply can't fathom on any level. Even more so my wife's side of the family & extended family in Germany. My wife's father was a prisoner of war in France for years, he was an interpreter during the war.

My Mum's father fought in WWI & WWII, & survived. He was the kindest of people. I am sure he would have accepted my German wife as the closed of family members.

My dad had an interesting saying, 'If you didn't hear the bomb go off you knew you were dead'

AU>$3.00 per litre in Germany & UK, I was there for 3 months December to February... Get over the prices in Australia.

P.S. Many decades ago I was listening & taking onboard life during WWII in Australia of another relatives. If you think Covid restrictions were tough, you will simply not cope with any serious form of restrictions & cost of living whether monetary or actual elbow grease.

DMaxer · Guru

Yes I have confidence in our present Government. They are well advised and act responsibly. It is not their fault that certain members of society behave in the way they do running off hysterically every time msm peddles misinformation.

BBN2 · Veteran Member

Dmaxer:

Your confidence has dropped from "total" to just "confidence" I note.

Your nativity and blind loyalty is genuinely touching :)

DMaxer · Guru

Lovely to see that you hang on every word that I write and analyse its meaning. Do you also move your lips when you read and try and sound them out?

By the way, I think the word you were trying to think of in your dopey reply was "naivety" not nativity.

Perhaps arm yourself with a dictionary when you try to be funny, saves a lot of embarrassment I am sure.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Saturday 28th of March 2026 03:09:19 PM

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

Dear oh dear.

DMaxer · Guru

I saw this article yesterday and I think it sums things up pretty well as to what has been done by our elected officials in Canberra;

762 million litres of petrol and diesel released from domestic reserves

Fuel quality standards temporarily adjusted, adding ~100 million litres of petrol per month

Diesel flashpoint standard lowered for six months to increase refinery flexibility

Both refineries running at full capacity, all output for domestic use

All six cancelled April fuel shipments replaced; three additional spot cargoes secured

Maximum penalties for fuel sector misconduct doubled to $100 million per offence

ACCC investigation launched into Ampol BP, Mobil Oil and Viva Energy

ACCC granted on-the-spot fine powers and extended price monitoring

Fuel Security Services Payment trigger adjusted and extended to 2030

Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill passed the House, now before the Senate

Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator appointed

National Cabinet convened; NOSEC and National Coordination Mechanism activated

$2+ million in additional funding for Rural Financial Counselling Service

Working with Singapore and South Korea on supply security

Forgetting about which side of politics you support, I think you have to admit that they have been pretty proactive in keeping things going. Given they have also underwritten the costs of additional tankers coming to Australia I think we will fare better than most.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Sunday 29th of March 2026 10:20:39 AM

rmoor · Guru

Andrew Hastie was interviewed on "Insiders" on the ABC this morning.
He made a lot of sense in all areas of the conflict and fuel.

I don't vote for the Coalition and haven't for years, but when he gets at the helm, they will be more formidable.

The one thing that really impressed me was his suggestion of diesel production from liquefaction of coal.
That really makes sense, so I did some prompt research.
It is capital cost intensive but the process cost is around $60 U.S. a barrel.

Why weren't we already doing this, why aren't we setting up to do it now?
With coal on the nose for power, why can't we now use it for a different purpose, further reinforcing our supply needs.

I recall a bloke from Gilgandra (NSW) used to do the rounds in his travels, and go around all of the old fish shops in the region collecting their used cooking oil.
He would then convert it to diesel. A dangerous thing to do I researched, but it powered his farm machinery and old ute.

Why isn't an oil collection and conversion system put in place in some regions?

Certainly be a better option than the day I saw the local real estate mogul fish shop operator pouring 20L of old oil down the drain out the front of his shop about 150-200 metres from the river where the drain came out.
I have seen platypus in that river, I am sure they loved his additive.

Hastie also mentioned adjusting the other 32 cents levy on transport over 4.5 tonnes or something being suspended.
They are effectively the trucks doing the deliveries to the supermarkets etc.
That is on top of the 52 cents fuel tax (plus GST).

It is fine to mention all of things they are doing, what about what they are NOT doing?
Also, we keep hearing about this Fuel Supply Taskforce Co-0rdinator.

Who is it, and what have they done so far?
Or is it just another job for a mate and a lot more hot air?

rmoor · Guru

It is Anthea Harris.

She was receiving $250,000 a year as Head of the Climate Change Authority.
She will now be receiving approx. $490,000 as the additional Fuel Supply Taskforce boss.

Climate Change Authority, I wonder who she deals with regularly there????

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

Yesterday, diesel was 331.9 at the big servo at the turnoff to Port Macquarie. Why does the government allow this?

Whenarewethere · Guru

Free market, same as any other commodity, swings & roundabouts.

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

Free market should not apply to essential products.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Like housing.

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

You can buy a $75k house or $100 million house. You dont have the same range or location choices with fuel. Its 3.32, not 10 cents to 3.32.

rmoor · Guru

I am pleased the moderator has allowed this thread to get into 5 pages so far as it is a crucial topic.

We have broken the rules at times and brought politics into it, but it is a bit hard not to with those at the top under huge pressure to act appropriately.
Overall, the tone on this thread has been pretty good.

I am starting to worry about the availability of diesel at the END of my trip away with a NSW Vets golf tournament.
It is in two weeks time, and lord knows where we will be by then with fuel.
Not much better I would imagine.

Spoke to a friend last week, I was to mind her two dogs (there is a joke there - an old red Indian one!!!) while she was away.
She had two trips planned overseas, both now canned, one was to Europe a bit later in the year.

It could end up catastrophic if this fuel thing got out of hand, the economy and people's livelihood could be damaged beyond repair.
Just hoping the Orange one, after he started this mess can finish it quickly and appropriately.

Whenarewethere · Guru

1970s people moved to smaller vehicles.

2020s people will move to electric vehicles.

Ineedabiggerboat · Guru

Till the grid breaks

rmoor · Guru

"1970s people moved to smaller vehicles.

2020s people will move to electric vehicles."

There is talk the Fed Govt are sitting on their hands and just going through the motions as it favours their renewable and electric vehicle agenda.
Closet greens.

The Fed treasurer was on morning TV this morning doing a fuel crisis interview.
All he did was waffle on for 5 minutes and said nothing whatsoever.
When pressed he simply continued to waffle.
About all he alluded to were tax cuts determined about 3 years ago.

It is plainly obvious they don't give a rats.
The appointment of the Climate Change Chairperson to the role of Fuel Crisis taskforce commander is a kick in the teeth to the public.
A joke in reality. An extra 1/4 of a million bucks to one of their buddies to further their other agenda.

The only concrete thing done so far by the Climate, sorry fuel commander is to give 2 million bucks to the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
This is simply a cosmetic move to cover their butts when every farmer in the land goes broke and the suicide rates increase on farm again.

If is wasn't so serious, it would be laughable.