Western Australia activates fuel emergency powers to compel supply-chain data from suppliers
The Facts
- The Western Australian government activated emergency powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act in response to fuel supply problems.
- The emergency powers are being used to compel fuel suppliers to provide supply-chain information to the government.
- The WA government had first sought the information voluntarily from six major suppliers, and only three of the six complied.
- Premier Roger Cook said the move was not a general state of emergency like the one used during COVID-19, but a use of powers under a different act focused on fuel supply.
- The government says the purpose of the powers is to improve transparency over fuel stocks, shipments and deliveries so fuel can be sent or diverted to where it is needed most.
- Reports link the fuel disruption to conflict in the Middle East, which has affected fuel supply conditions in Australia.
- Parliament is set to be recalled on April 14 to table or formalize the emergency orders.
Context
What do the emergency powers allow the WA government to do?
They allow the government, through powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act, to compel suppliers to hand over information about fuel stocks, shipments and distribution, and reports say the powers can also be used to direct supply toward areas of greatest need Australian Broadcas…,News.com.au,Perth Now.
Why did WA decide to use these powers now?
The government said it first asked six major suppliers to provide commercially sensitive supply data voluntarily, but only three complied, leaving officials without a full picture of the supply chain during ongoing shortages and distribution disruptions Australian Broadcas…,News.com.au,7NEWS.com.au.
Is this the same as a broad public state of emergency?
Officials said no: Premier Roger Cook said the government was using emergency powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act rather than a COVID-style emergency framework, with the measures aimed specifically at fuel supply oversight News.com.au,Sydney Morning Hera…,Yahoo!7 News.
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