Australia Eases Fuel Stockpile Rules as Middle East Conflict Pushes Oil Prices Higher

Up to 762 million litres of petrol and diesel could be released from Australia’s domestic reserves.
Australia Eases Fuel Stockpile Rules as Middle East Conflict Pushes Oil Prices Higher
Minister Chris Bowen speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 13, 2024. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
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The federal government has eased fuel stockpile requirements, allowing companies to release hundreds of millions of litres of petrol and diesel to help relieve shortages in regional Australia.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that Australia will temporarily reduce its Minimum Stockholding Obligation (MSO), a policy that requires fuel importers and refineries to keep minimum levels of fuel in domestic storage.

Naziya Alvi Rahman
Naziya Alvi Rahman
Author
Naziya Alvi Rahman is a Canberra-based journalist who covers political issues in Australia. She can be reached at [email protected].