Radio National Breakfast Australia rules out sending warships to the Gulf
Mar 15, 2026
Catherine King, Australia’s infrastructure and transport minister, discusses fuel supplies and transport policy amid Middle East tensions. She explains stockholding levels, recent reserve releases and temporary standards changes. She also covers naval decisions, monitoring export reports and impacts on aviation and local fuel distribution.
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Australia Will Not Send Ships To Strait Of Hormuz
- Australia is providing military aircraft to the UAE but will not send ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
- Catherine King clarifies Australia hasn't been asked to send ships and defence decisions rest with other ministers.
Government Stock Releases Easing Short-Term Fuel Pressure
- Australia holds mandatory minimum fuel stocks that currently provide about 37 days of petrol and around 29–30 days of diesel and jet fuel.
- Catherine King says the release of a 20% buffer plus temporarily lowered sulphur rules frees ~762 million litres plus 100 million litres/month for domestic supply.
Prioritise Regions When Redirecting Released Fuel
- Prioritise regional distribution when freeing up domestic fuel supplies to relieve local shortages.
- Catherine King says Ampol was asked to prioritise redirecting released stock to regional areas and independent distributors.