Radio National Breakfast Need for 'uniformity' across jurisdictions on National Cabinet agenda
Mar 29, 2026
Kristy McBain, Federal Minister for Emergency Management and regional development, discusses coordinating a national response to fuel shortages and protecting regional fuel supplies. She talks about balancing voluntary and mandatory measures, the need for uniform rules across jurisdictions, emergency fuel reserves, and recovery efforts after Cyclone Narelle damaged WA communities.
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National Cabinet Coordination For Fuel Distribution
- National Cabinet meetings are being used to coordinate practical fuel-distribution measures across states and territories.
- Kristy McBain stresses spot and contract fuel markets must work so petrol and diesel reach regional freight, quarries, farmers and independents.
Try Voluntary Measures Before Mandates
- Prioritise voluntary practical measures before mandatory interventions to manage shortages.
- McBain points to examples like free public transport in Victoria and Tasmania as voluntary steps states have taken.
Fuel Reserves And Mandatory Stock Release
- Government released part of mandatory importers' fuel stock obligation to boost supply and increased compliance actions.
- McBain reports 20% of the mandatory stock obligation was released and reserves sit around 32 days for fuels.