Petrol Output at Geelong Refinery Falls to 60 Percent After Fire: PM

Government ministers are trying to reassure the public that fuel availability nationally will not be impacted.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C) speaks during a press conference with Deputy PM Richard Marles (R) and Energy Minister Chris Bowen (L) after a visit to the Geelong Oil Refinery in Geelong in Australia on April 17, 2026. William West/AFP via Getty Images

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says petrol production at the Viva Energy oil refinery has been reduced to 60 percent of capacity following the major fire that engulfed part of it on April 15 and 16.

Albanese was in Geelong to visit the refinery and tried to reassure Australians that the incident would “not lead to any change.”