Queensland fuel stockpile needed for Queenslanders

The Miles Labor Opposition is calling on the LNP Government to consider a strategic fuel stockpile to ensure that Queenslanders have access to fuel amid Trump’s war in the Middle East.

Three weeks ago, Labor Leader Steven Miles and Deputy Leader Cameron Dick wrote to the Premier calling on the LNP to loosen the shackles on the state’s fuel depots and supply chain to give Queensland the ability to increase the local storage of fuel.

The Crisafulli Government must lift restrictions on Queensland fuel depots to increase the amount of fuel stored where it is safe to do so, as well as allowing increased operating hours.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles said lifting planning restrictions would be a sensible move to ensure that Queensland can build up the state’s stockpile of fuel amid the ongoing fuel security crisis.

Increasing fuel depot storage limits in particular would enable Queenslanders to have greater access to fuel when they need it most.

This follows Labor's calls to ensure that any fuel produced from the Taroom Trough is prioritised for Queenslanders first, and not simply sold overseas to fill the pockets of multinational corporations.

Taroom Trough is not expected to deliver fuel for a number of years, so action must be taken now to ensure Queensland motorists and industries have access to the fuel when and where they need it. 

Families and industries right around the state are feeling the pinch from Trump’s war in the Middle East. It is time Premier Crisafulli took real action to address fuel security concerns in Queensland.

Industry has raised the alarm that Queensland’s supply chains rely on having secure access to fuel to ensure that the state keeps moving.

The WA Labor Government has already announced it will build up its own strategic fuel stockpile, and it is time that Queensland investigated our own reserve.

With no end to the conflict in sight, ensuring domestic supply would help to protect Queensland from the financial impacts at home.

Quotes attributable to Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles:

“Premier David Crisafulli has been all announcement and no action on the fuel crisis crippling Queenslanders right now.  

"Trump’s war in the Middle East continues to disrupt global fuel supply and drive up prices.

“Establishing a fuel stockpile in Queensland is a sensible move that the LNP Government must consider to ensure that Queenslanders are protected from fuel shortages.

“Three weeks ago, we wrote to the Premier asking him to consider expanding fuel storage limits and operating hours of depots to improve access to fuel.

"Queensland should be investigating a fuel stockpile as a sensible response to the ongoing uncertainty.

"A stockpile would give Queenslanders confidence that they will have access to the fuel they need when they need it most.”

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Planning and Regional Development Leader Cameron Dick:

“Business and industry are crying out for action from this government so they can survive the ongoing fuel security crisis.

“This is a simple and sensible solution that Premier Crisafulli must implement to ease the fuel supply pressures currently being felt across the state.

“The Premier was happy to be part of a big photo shoot in Taroom, but there’s been no follow through to ensure this fuel from Queensland remains for Queensland.

“Building our own fuel stockpile capacity will ensure Queenslanders have access to fuel when they need it most.

“The government must pull all the levers available to it, and they must do it as soon as possible.”