Petrol prices in Shepparton on March 17
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Victorian farmers are urging commuters to consider swapping their car for public transport and the government to make public transport free, with the potential fuel savings helping ensure farmers can keep planting, harvesting and producing food.
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The ABC has reported that two north-west Victorian towns ran out of fuel last week.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said fuel shortages affected rural communities very differently to metropolitan households, because farming operations relied solely on critical fuel to grow their products.
“For most Victorians, a fuel shortage means cancelled plans, longer queues and a tighter weekly budget,” he said.
“For farmers, timing is everything. Farming runs on narrow weather windows, and if the tank is empty at the wrong moment, you can’t just wait for prices to settle, you lose the opportunity, and sometimes the entire crop.
“Keeping farmers moving is in everyone’s interest. Victorian farmers grow almost a quarter of Australia’s food and feed millions more across the globe.”
The VFF says small changes in commuting behaviour across Melbourne could make a meaningful difference.
“If just one in five Victorian car commuters shifted to public transport, the fuel saved would be enough to plant roughly half of Australia’s wheat, barley, canola and lentil crop,” Mr Hosking said.
“A little would go a long way. Even taking one or two trips a week on the train, tram or bus instead of driving can leave more fuel in the system for the jobs that keep supermarket shelves stocked.”
To encourage the switch in commuting behaviour, the VFF is calling on the Victorian Government to make public transport free and run more services more often.
“When the dust settles, the government needs to take a good hard look at the numerous warnings they’ve ignored that’s left us in this predicament,” Mr Hosking said.
“For now, we’re asking for a helping hand to grow the food and make sure it gets to where it needs to go.”
Meanwhile, fuel suppliers will have “the book thrown at them” if they are found to be profiteering off the conflict in the Middle East, the Federal Government says.
Australia's consumer watchdog will haul in major fuel suppliers for an explanation on skyrocketing prices.
A number of retailers, including Ampol, BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil and 7-Eleven, will be among the companies summoned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for an emergency meeting.
Diesel prices surged to more than $2.60 a litre in Shepparton on March 17.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the steep increases in petrol prices after war in the Middle East broke out had raised serious concerns at the ACCC.
“The ACCC are hauling the petrol suppliers and retailers in for an explanation,” he said.
“I’ve made it very clear that if they find evidence of misconduct, we expect the ACCC to throw the book at them.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said fuel standards would be relaxed for two months to allow more supply to combat shortages at the bowser.
This will bring an extra 100 million litres a month, the equivalent of about two days’ worth of supply.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has suggested reserving fuel for farmers and regional areas by introducing rationing for the cities as the war drags on.
Fuel transport companies have thrown their support behind the proposal.
But the NRMA has opposed the idea, saying rations would cause unnecessary economic and social impacts.
