"    Energy Minister Chris Bowen has urged drivers not to panic-buy fuel, despite Australia holding barely half the oil reserve it is obliged to have in case of a global emergency.

    As long queues formed at petrol stations across the country, Bowen insisted Australia had ample supplies to handle the fallout from the Iran conflict, with a little over a month’s worth of petrol, diesel and jet fuel, based on normal consumption patterns, in addition to what is in service stations and vehicle fuel tanks."

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/panic-buying-risks-petrol-supply-crunch-bowen-warns-20260303-p5o6ye

He wants to play the "not my fault" card, because ...?

BTW - I guess the solar proponents who insist that they cover the Sahara in solar panels have a backup plan?

MEDIA RELEASE
Maritime Union Of Australia.
AUSTRALIA’S FUEL INSECURITY EXPOSED BY GLOBAL CONFLICT

3 MARCH 2026

The Maritime Union of Australia warns that Australia’s fuel security crisis has been laid bare by escalating international conflict and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.

This is not a distant geopolitical drama but a direct threat to Australian workers, families and industries. When a fifth of the world’s oil moves through a single maritime corridor and that corridor is shut by war, the consequences are immediate.

Australia is an energy exporting nation. It is indefensible that we cannot guarantee our own fuel supply. Fuel sovereignty is a national responsibility. The time for half measures has passed; decisive action is required now.

For decades, successive governments have allowed our domestic fuel capacity to be dismantled. Under the former Liberal–National Coalition government in particular, Australia’s strategic fuel reserves were effectively offshored, with public money spent storing fuel overseas rather than building sovereign stockpiles at home. At the same time, refinery after refinery closed. Despite once being a nation capable of refining and transporting own fuel, Australia has been reduced to being a price-taker in a volatile global market.

Today, Australia imports the overwhelming majority of its refined petrol and diesel. We rely on foreign refineries, foreign-owned tankers and shipping lanes that run through contested waters. Our fuel security buffer remains dangerously thin and for years fell short of the 90 day minimum stockholding obligation set by the International Energy Agency.

Fuel sovereignty is not an abstract policy debate. Diesel powers freight, agriculture, mining and construction. Petrol keeps essential workers moving. Aviation fuel connects our cities and regions. Without secure and accessible supplies, supermarket shelves will wind up bare, transport will grind to a halt, regional communities will be cut off and emergency services will be compromised. Running out of imported fuel during a global supply shock would not just drive up prices, it would stall the economy and threaten our entire economy.

“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the recent attacks on Iran is a stark warning of the volatility of Australia’s access to global fuel supply chains,” said the MUA’s National Secretary Jake Field.

“We mustn’t gamble our economic stability on uninterrupted access to foreign fuel markets. We cannot assume that geopolitical tensions will always resolve before our reserves run dry,” Mr Field added.

The Maritime Union of Australia calls on the Federal Government to act decisively and urgently.

The Union says that Australia must rebuild its sovereign fuel storage capacity onshore and maintain reserves that comfortably exceed international minimums and that we must protect and expand domestic refining capability to reduce reliance on imported finished fuels.

“We must realise the commitment of an Australian flagged and crewed strategic shipping capability that can guarantee delivery of essential energy supplies in times of crisis. Fuel security must be recognised as a pillar of national security, economic policy and social stability,” said Mr Field.

ENDS

whiteknight wrote on Mar 4^th, 2026 at 5:23pm:

MEDIA RELEASE Maritime Union Of Australia. AUSTRALIA’S FUEL INSECURITY EXPOSED BY GLOBAL CONFLICT 3 MARCH 2026 The Maritime Union of Australia warns that Australia’s fuel security crisis has been laid bare by escalating international conflict and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. This is not a distant geopolitical drama but a direct threat to Australian workers, families and industries. When a fifth of the world’s oil moves through a single maritime corridor and that corridor is shut by war, the consequences are immediate. Australia is an energy exporting nation. It is indefensible that we cannot guarantee our own fuel supply. Fuel sovereignty is a national responsibility. The time for half measures has passed; decisive action is required now. For decades, successive governments have allowed our domestic fuel capacity to be dismantled. Under the former Liberal–National Coalition government in particular, Australia’s strategic fuel reserves were effectively offshored, with public money spent storing fuel overseas rather than building sovereign stockpiles at home. At the same time, refinery after refinery closed. Despite once being a nation capable of refining and transporting own fuel, Australia has been reduced to being a price-taker in a volatile global market. Today, Australia imports the overwhelming majority of its refined petrol and diesel. We rely on foreign refineries, foreign-owned tankers and shipping lanes that run through contested waters. Our fuel security buffer remains dangerously thin and for years fell short of the 90 day minimum stockholding obligation set by the International Energy Agency. Fuel sovereignty is not an abstract policy debate. Diesel powers freight, agriculture, mining and construction. Petrol keeps essential workers moving. Aviation fuel connects our cities and regions. Without secure and accessible supplies, supermarket shelves will wind up bare, transport will grind to a halt, regional communities will be cut off and emergency services will be compromised. Running out of imported fuel during a global supply shock would not just drive up prices, it would stall the economy and threaten our entire economy. “The closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the recent attacks on Iran is a stark warning of the volatility of Australia’s access to global fuel supply chains,” said the MUA’s National Secretary Jake Field. “We mustn’t gamble our economic stability on uninterrupted access to foreign fuel markets. We cannot assume that geopolitical tensions will always resolve before our reserves run dry,” Mr Field added. The Maritime Union of Australia calls on the Federal Government to act decisively and urgently. The Union says that Australia must rebuild its sovereign fuel storage capacity onshore and maintain reserves that comfortably exceed international minimums and that we must protect and expand domestic refining capability to reduce reliance on imported finished fuels. “We must realise the commitment of an Australian flagged and crewed strategic shipping capability that can guarantee delivery of essential energy supplies in times of crisis. Fuel security must be recognised as a pillar of national security, economic policy and social stability,” said Mr Field. ENDS

For once I agree with the union.

We should have our own totally self sufficient energy supply - oil, gas, nuclear and coal.

You don't need to invade Australia, you just need to cut off Singapore, Korea and Japan.


But who would do that, eh?  Not our chinky poo  friends, shurely. Tsk, tsk  ::) ::)

In 2020 Australia had 81 days reserve.

"The latest Australian Petroleum Statistics showed Australia had as much as 81 days' worth of oil reserves at the end of February."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-24/explainer3a-australia27s-oil-purchase/12177060

"Australia has over 30 days of fuel reserves, highest in more than a decade"

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/australia-tells-consumers-no-need-panic-buy-petrol-over-iran-war-stocks-high-2026-03-03/

In January it was 28 days.

Fuel is fuel, whether petrol, diesel or jet fuel.

Of course he may not be aware of that. So IF he meant them separately that would be 102 days of fuel reserves, up from 81 in 2020. That is not that significant. ::)

I don’t understand the problem.  Angus Taylor has zillions of litres of oil in a bunker in the USA.  Should be a breeze getting it here.  We know Angus would have done all the groundwork in case we needed it.   Thank the Lord the Adults were in Charge

Vic wrote on Mar 4^th, 2026 at 6:19pm:

Should be a breeze getting it here.

Weill it wouldn't be coming via the Straits of Hormuz, would it. ;)

There's already panic buying of petrol in the UK.

Queues spotted at UK petrol stations amid fuel price hike fears - 'fill up now'


Quote:

Fuel stations are descending into chaos over fears that petrol and diesel costs could staggeringly rise.

And... there's nothing like a huge front page story in today's The West Australian to get Perth motorists panic buying petrol (and also buying lots of newspapers, of course).

It said petrol could be as much as $2.07 a litre today although I noticed the Shell service station near Belmont Forum was still about $1.75 a litre this morning.

Glad I got rid of my car 6 months ago.  :)

Now, I'd better check and see how much toilet paper I have.  ::)

---

Vic wrote on Mar 4^th, 2026 at 6:19pm:

I don’t understand the problem.  Angus Taylor has zillions of litres of oil in a bunker in the USA.  Should be a breeze getting it here.  We know Angus would have done all the groundwork in case we needed it.   Thank the Lord the Adults were in Charge

Oh dear, was he the one behind one of the worst decisions ever made by an Australian government?

We not only paid for that petroleum but also entered into along term costly lease to have our emergency fuel reserves stored on the other side of the pacific in what is now an increasingly hostile to Australia country!

“ 'Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus'”

Quote Angus.

No wonder voters are leaving the LNP in droves!

"Energy Minister Chris Bowen has urged drivers not to panic-buy fuel"

Well - that'll start the gold rush..... and I hear toilet paper is streaking off the shelves again... WTF is this obsession with toilet paper?

We are truly governed by idiots.

I wasn’t overly concerned until I heard both old Airbus and blackout saying everything was fine and no need to worry.

Now  I am worried and will be filling up the car daily as well as filling up my jerrycans.

I am now definitely going grocery shopping as well.

The moment an Australian politician tells you anything you immediately need to take notice, understand that they are lies and do the exact opposite to protect  yourself and family and friends.

The reason for the stoppage of tankers through strait of Hormuz is not mines or threat of attack, but because the insurance companies have cancelled the cover for any ship making the transit. This is because new EU regulations require vast cash reserves to be held by companies to cover every possible loss, which these companies don't have.  Fortunately the US government has offered reasonably priced insurance and navy escorts for all ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, so the fuel should be flowing again fairly soon.   

https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/usiran-war-live-updates/live-coverage/62ed6de377da8ed246c979c02058402a

“ US-Iran war live updates: ‘Large explosion’, oil spill off Kuwait after tanker hit

A commercial tanker has been hit with oil spilling everywhere in the Middle East hot zone, confirming analysts worst fears about trade routes and collateral damage.”



Yes,  nothing to see here. Carry on ….

Daves2017 wrote on Mar 5^th, 2026 at 2:32pm:

https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/usiran-war-live-updates/live-coverage/62ed6de377da8ed246c979c02058402a “ US-Iran war live updates: ‘Large explosion’, oil spill off Kuwait after tanker hit A commercial tanker has been hit with oil spilling everywhere in the Middle East hot zone, confirming analysts worst fears about trade routes and collateral damage.” Yes,  nothing to see here. Carry on ….

War is peace.

Didnt 3 out the five oil refineries we had close under LNP ?

Wasn't the war on fossil fuels started by the left?

lee wrote on Mar 5^th, 2026 at 5:30pm:

Wasn't the war on fossil fuels started by the left?

LNP never again wrote on Mar 5^th, 2026 at 5:16pm:

Didnt 3 out the five oil refineries we had close under LNP ?

Does it make and difference who to point the finger at - fact is we once produced and refined our own petrol and now we don't. Absolute incompetance. We made ourselves a joke who ever is more responsible.

Dnarever wrote on Mar 5^th, 2026 at 6:10pm:

Does it make and difference who to point the finger at - fact is we once produced and refined our own petrol and now we don't. Absolute incompetance. We made ourselves a joke who ever is more responsible.

That's what happens when you put impediments in the front of producers. Whether it is fossil fuel, agrarian, mining whatever.

Turns out it was 4 refineries closed under Libs not three , how could libtards let this happen ?

++
LNP never again wrote on Mar 7^th, 2026 at 3:52pm:

Turns out it was 4 refineries closed under Libs not three , how could libtards let this happen ?

Listened to Greta.



The Iranins are IMPLEMENTING The Greens' policy of JUST STOP OIL. :D :D :D


https://media.greenmatters.com/brand-img/X1xYyui7Z/0x0/who-owns-just-stop-oil-1668185196075.jpg

Frank , did 4 close under libtards ? Yes , yes they did

LNP never again wrote on Mar 7^th, 2026 at 5:06pm:

Frank , did 4 close under libtards ? Yes , yes they did

What IS the difference between Labor and the Libs?

Uniparty.

Same shite.

Turnbull was the best Labor PM since Hawke.

The most important take aways is -

What ever the Australian government says via their politicians do the exact opposite.

Buy petroleum NOW!

Fill your pantry with canned goods and long lasting food.

When trump says it will be all over in several months?


I’m thinking several years and then they run home defeated just like Afghan conflict

Frank wrote on Mar 7^th, 2026 at 6:51pm:

LNP never again wrote on Mar 7th, 2026 at 5:06pm: Frank , did 4 close under libtards ? Yes , yes they did What IS the difference between Labor and the Libs? Uniparty. Same shite. Turnbull was the best Labor PM since Hawke. Hawke was a drunk but aside that I agree Turnbull was a fantastic politician and leader of the country. I feel he had very centrist views which is exactly what I look for in a politician

Daves2017 wrote on Mar 7^th, 2026 at 7:07pm:

Frank wrote on Mar 7th, 2026 at 6:51pm: LNP never again wrote on Mar 7th, 2026 at 5:06pm: Frank , did 4 close under libtards ? Yes , yes they did What IS the difference between Labor and the Libs? Uniparty. Same shite. Turnbull was the best Labor PM since Hawke. Hawke was a drunk but aside that I agree Turnbull was a fantastic politician and leader of the country. I feel he had very centrist views which is exactly what I look for in a politician

Turnbull was a lefty hardly a true conservative/Liberal.

He was self serving & for his mates.

Hid all his money in offshore tax havens - represented Goldman Sachs in Australia at one point.

Gnads wrote on Mar 8^th, 2026 at 1:19pm:

Hid all his money in offshore tax havens - represented Goldman Sachs in Australia at one point.

You know Australia has Double Tax Agreements with the offshore tax havens? No way to hide the money.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/motoring/on-the-road/servos-run-out-major-warning-as-fuel-supply-runs-dry-across-regional-australia/news-story/7dc3ba71bfcd23aee6ce002bc2d00b62

“ Fuel crisis: Regional NSW, Qld stations running out of petrol

Regional towns are running dry, and a warning has been issued that “Australia is on its knees” because of the conflict in the Middle East.”

Now would be the time to access our emergency fuel supply that Angus Taylor organised be stored in the USA .

Great work Angus. Well done!

Not to worry.

Front page of today's The West Australian.

Once our spineless politicians get us involved in yet another pointless and probably unwinnable war then it will provide a great distraction from things like fuel prices, fuel availability, stock market crashes, peoples' superannuation getting wiped out, grocery prices, housing, rent, etc., etc..

It will also have the additional 'bonus' distraction for the pollies of keeping the population in a constant state of fear wondering if/when/where the next 9/11 will occur (some people are saying it's only a matter of time now).

And, it's been said many, many times but isn't it funny how there's never enough money for things like health, hospitals and housing, etc. but there's always plenty of money available for wars.

Disgraceful (and scary) stuff.

---

The Left have obliged Europe & Asia to bleed USA & Australia, because Europe & Asia are Lefty regions.

Trump has stopped the rot in the USA currently.
But you can see how Australia has been made redundant and dependable upon Europe & Asia - still under Lefty ALP control.
After 50 years - it has come to this.

I see Penny wants us to protect the Gulf States. She coyly hasn't advised on which side. ;)

lee wrote on Mar 8^th, 2026 at 1:43pm:

Gnads wrote on Mar 8th, 2026 at 1:19pm: Hid all his money in offshore tax havens - represented Goldman Sachs in Australia at one point. You know Australia has Double Tax Agreements with the offshore tax havens? No way to hide the money.

So how does that work?

And if that's the case & the money cannot be hidden why put it there in the first place?

lee wrote on Mar 9^th, 2026 at 1:10pm:

I see Penny wants us to protect the Gulf States. She coyly hasn't advised on which side. ;)

The Gulf States - the ones that covertly support & harbour terrorist groups leaders?

The ones who are part of OPEC & who dictate the price of oil - therefore affecting fuel costs & supply to dumbass countries like ours that signed up to the world parity pricing BS and has closed most of it's own refineries?

Gnads wrote on Mar 9^th, 2026 at 5:10pm:

So how does that work?

When a tax return goes in they put in foreign income. That can be chaecked at source.

It is sometimes easier to move money around overseas banks.

you want to buy shares in USA, have an account you can operate there. It could be Bank of Hong Kong.

lee wrote on Mar 9^th, 2026 at 5:15pm:

Gnads wrote on Mar 9th, 2026 at 5:10pm: So how does that work? When a tax return goes in they put in foreign income. That can be chaecked at source. It is sometimes easier to move money around overseas banks. you want to buy shares in USA, have an account you can operate there. It could be Bank of Hong Kong.

I prefer KL personally but it’s horses for courses.

You can  board a plane out of Australia with $9999 cash in your pocket and  ( for now) the Australian government can’t do anything to stop you.

I definitely don’t want my major savings in Australia.

The tax’s are farcical.

“Australian fuel standards eased

Alex Blair
Australia will temporarily ease fuel standards for the next two months to boost supply as Canberra attempts to deal with disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

The change is expected to add about 100 million litres of fuel a month, roughly equal to two extra days of supply.

Australia currently holds 36 days of petrol supply, 29 days of jet fuel and 32 days of diesel, well below the IEA expectation of 90 days of reserves for member countries.

Fuel with higher sulphur levels will be allowed back into the domestic market for 60 days rather than being exported.”

As labor has said repeatedly that there is no crisis I  must ask why there now approved the sale of environmentally damaging petroleum?

Only to overseas markets, because apparently there environmentally damage doesn’t effect the rest of the world???

I see chalmers with one hand behind back owned libs once again in question time , 4/6 refineries closed under libtards , then another doozy who opposed labors strategic reserve policy just last year ? You guessed it , libtards ... arent you angry you got corrupt anus and fake coal face as an opposition? But , lets be honest next lnp leader isnt born yet  :D

The way he speaks about fuel he must be sniffing it....

Daves2017 wrote on Mar 12^th, 2026 at 6:58pm:

“Australian fuel standards eased Alex Blair Australia will temporarily ease fuel standards for the next two months to boost supply as Canberra attempts to deal with disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. The change is expected to add about 100 million litres of fuel a month, roughly equal to two extra days of supply. Australia currently holds 36 days of petrol supply, 29 days of jet fuel and 32 days of diesel, well below the IEA expectation of 90 days of reserves for member countries. Fuel with higher sulphur levels will be allowed back into the domestic market for 60 days rather than being exported.” As labor has said repeatedly that there is no crisis I  must ask why there now approved the sale of environmentally damaging petroleum? Only to overseas markets, because apparently there environmentally damage doesn’t effect the rest of the world???

Albo Crash Investigations:-

"It's a beautiful clear day here at Mascot International airport as the Bowenliners 747 SuperShot begins its climb out ..... all seems well in the cockpit..... until.......  **thunk, crash blatter** .... Captain Bis Chrowen grabs the controls but the shaking will not stop.... one by one the fuel pressure in the engines falls....... it looks like Flight Double Sixty-Nine is doomed unless something can be done... and soon....  an emergency is declared...... Flight Sixty Nine is diverted to Canberra for emergency touchdown...... what has happened to its fuel supply? .....  (creds....)

LNP never again wrote on Mar 12^th, 2026 at 8:56pm:

I see chalmers with one hand behind back owned libs once again in question time , 4/6 refineries closed under libtards , then another doozy who opposed labors strategic reserve policy just last year ? You guessed it , libtards ... arent you angry you got corrupt anus and fake coal face as an opposition? But , lets be honest next lnp leader isnt born yet  :D

They've never had a "reserve" policy.

And when asked if they help the situation by cutting the fuel excise of 51.6 cents per litre they said no.

They also get 10% GST on every litre sold so are collecting 61.6 cents a litre in excise & taxes.

It's absolutely ridiculous.

If they were fairdinkum they'd ease that excise rate.

But they're so far in debt they're raking in/raping the tax payer for all they're worth.

No govt should get anymore than 10c in the dollar in tax or excise.

Is it time to consider telling the USA we would like the billions of litres of oil we paid for and pay for them to store back?   I am sure if we send Angus over (after all he organised it) we would have it back Tout de suite

“Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus”

The National Leader is an expert on climate issues.
I'm betting he's gonna kick Bowen's salesman arse.

Jasin wrote on Mar 13^th, 2026 at 3:56pm:

The National Leader is an expert on climate issues. I'm betting he's gonna kick Bowen's salesman arse.

Bit hard from the Senate Jasin.     Meanwhile:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canavan_disease

Gnads wrote on Mar 13^th, 2026 at 1:54pm:

LNP never again wrote on Mar 12th, 2026 at 8:56pm: I see chalmers with one hand behind back owned libs once again in question time , 4/6 refineries closed under libtards , then another doozy who opposed labors strategic reserve policy just last year ? You guessed it , libtards ... arent you angry you got corrupt anus and fake coal face as an opposition? But , lets be honest next lnp leader isnt born yet  :D They've never had a "reserve" policy. And when asked if they help the situation by cutting the fuel excise of 51.6 cents per litre they said no. They also get 10% GST on every litre sold so are collecting 61.6 cents a litre in excise & taxes. It's absolutely ridiculous. If they were fairdinkum they'd ease that excise rate. But they're so far in debt they're raking in/raping the tax payer for all they're worth. No govt should get anymore than 10c in the dollar in tax or excise.

The Uniparty  -  Labor/Liberal turned us into a debtor nation
when we should be so wealthy that everyone should owe us money.
The result is enormous taxes that will never go away.

Remember when Bowen and Albo said that there was no crisis and everything was going to be fine?

Guess what.

They now acknowledge that there is a crisis and taking  radical urgent action .

Never, ever believe an Australian politician!

Vic wrote on Mar 13^th, 2026 at 3:49pm:

Is it time to consider telling the USA we would like the billions of litres of oil we paid for and pay for them to store back?   I am sure if we send Angus over (after all he organised it) we would have it back Tout de suite “Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus”

I’d like Anus to explain the mechanisms that would allow us to access our emergency 90 day supply he organised to be purchased and stored in Texas?

“ Fantastic. Great work Anal. Well done .”

I might even buy a newspaper if an Australian journalist was able to stop drinking long enough to do some basic research and write an informed article on it?

But let’s be honest, that will never happen?

Maybe someone on social media will explain it.

I'm just waiting for the planes to run out of jet fuel now.

China’s ban on fuel exports is deeply worrying for Australian air travellers

The airlines have already increased the cost of their fares to cover the increase in the jet fuel price over the past 2 weeks (they won't absorb the cost from their obscene profits and plenty of mugs will still pay, of course) so let's see what happens here.

I, for one, see no downside to less planes in the air.

Less noise.
Less pollution.
Less virus and other disease spread around the world (flu, Covid, measles, etc.).

Just like we saw in the early days of Covid before governments 'caved in' to the airlines and others and we've had to live (and die) with the virus ever since.

If they do run out of fuel in the coming weeks I'd like to think of this as Karma coming back to bite the airlines in the @ss for all the disease they spread worldwide with zero effort made to stop or reduce it.

Mind you, I'm sure governments will do everything they can to prevent this from happening, they don't care about the average Joe not being able to put petrol in his car but they can't have anything affecting the airlines too much, can they?

Some of the pollies might even lose their Qantas Chairman's Lounge memberships and free flights.  ::)

Probably a good excuse for qantas  to base their refueling in Singapore.
I know they are looking at replacing the old bitchy moles who they employ as hosties with young smiling energetic and much cheaper Thai Malay and Vietnamese staff.


Great move.

The old sacked fat unattractive hosties can go join Carl in the retirement home and bitch about qantas 24/7

aquascoot wrote on Mar 14^th, 2026 at 6:29am:

Probably a good excuse for qantas  to base their refueling in Singapore. I know they are looking at replacing the old bitchy moles who they employ as hosties with young smiling energetic and much cheaper Thai Malay and Vietnamese staff. Great move. The old sacked fat unattractive hosties can go join Carl in the retirement home and bitch about qantas 24/7

That's misogyny but I know what you mean.    :)

Honestly - if I see or hear the expression "un-Australian" again I think I am going to puke.

In today's The West Australian, Chris Bowen describes hoarding fuel and trying to sell it online at inflated prices as "un-Australian".

Newsflash for you, Chris. This behaviour is "100% Australian" these days (as we saw with toilet paper 6 years ago) but I'm pretty sure you already know this.

And, we see it on a daily basis with grocery prices, house prices, rents, etc., etc..

"Me, me, me". "Gimme, gimme, gimme". "Greed, greed, greed". "I'm alright, Jack and stuff everyone else" is all people think about these days.

Mind you, because we're members of the animal kingdom the "survival of the fittest" urge takes over especially in a crisis so I guess it's not really our fault entirely even though we claim to be much more intelligent (which I doubt). Can't fight Mother Nature, I suppose?

It's taken me a long, long time (I've always gone through life looking for the best in people and believing everyone cares) but I've finally realised that when it comes to the crunch nobody gives a sh!t about anyone else but themselves.

This realisation has been reinforced for me during the past few years when I had to take care of my elderly aunt with little or no help from anyone else up until the time she went into Aged Care last July.

Disgraceful stuff.

Carl D wrote on Mar 14^th, 2026 at 10:12am:

Honestly - if I see or hear the expression "un-Australian" again I think I am going to puke. In today's The West Australian, Chris Bowen describes hoarding fuel and trying to sell it online at inflated prices as "un-Australian". Newsflash for you, Chris. This behaviour is "100% Australian" these days (as we saw with toilet paper 6 years ago) but I'm pretty sure you already know this. And, we see it on a daily basis with grocery prices, house prices, rents, etc., etc.. "Me, me, me". "Gimme, gimme, gimme". "Greed, greed, greed". "I'm alright, Jack and stuff everyone else" is all people think about these days. Mind you, because we're members of the animal kingdom the "survival of the fittest" urge takes over especially in a crisis so I guess it's not really our fault entirely even though we claim to be much more intelligent (which I doubt). Can't fight Mother Nature, I suppose? It's taken me a long, long time (I've always gone through life looking for the best in people and believing everyone cares) but I've finally realised that when it comes to the crunch nobody gives a sh!t about anyone else but themselves. This realisation has been reinforced for me during the past few years when I had to take care of my elderly aunt with little or no help from anyone else up until the time she went into Aged Care last July. Disgraceful stuff.

Yes, I've come to the same, sad realization   :(

And similarly, nobody helped me with my parents in the last stages of their lives.

Everybody's too busy having a fantastic life on social media.

https://www.mashed.com/img/gallery/whats-behind-peoples-passion-for-posting-food-on-social-media/intro-1695154585.jpg

Carl D wrote on Mar 14^th, 2026 at 10:12am:

,,,but I've finally realised that when it comes to the crunch nobody gives a sh!t about anyone else but themselves.

So you are hoarding also? Me, I top up every fortnight. ::)

Carl D wrote on Mar 13^th, 2026 at 10:58pm:

I'm just waiting for the planes to run out of jet fuel now. China’s ban on fuel exports is deeply worrying for Australian air travellers

Energy traders said China had ordered refineries to stop exports in a move that could cut critical jet fuel supplies. Australia ­is almost entirely dependent on such fuel from overseas with China making up 32 per cent of our imports last year.

There are fears the Chinese move, in response to the war in the Middle East, could force other major fuel producers, such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, also to impose cuts on their refineries and prioritise fuel supplies for domestic use.


Experts have warned Australia is particularly vulnerable due to its “unusually low fuel ­stockpile” and failing to produce much oil ­itself, and said there could be an “immediate hike” in domestic airline prices and construction costs.





No worries, pumped hydro, wind and solar will step in. She'll be right.
Chwis Bowels knows, he's the energh minister, after all. Only the gullible would be sceptical about renewables.

Bowen doesn't know.      ::)

It’s not a crisis.

We now have a crisis.

Yep, I think he knows but is scared to speak because it’s all about to get a lot worse before it gets better?

No taxpayer funded com cars or planes will be affected by the ( not a crisis, now a crisis).

Anika Wells will still be travelling  without hesitation for free on the taxpayer.

It Bowen Therapy ;D

He B(l)owen in the wind.

Jasin wrote on Mar 14^th, 2026 at 5:04pm:

It Bowen Therapy ;D

Bowen couldn't organise a chook raffle in a pub.     ::)

lee wrote on Mar 14^th, 2026 at 2:39pm:

Carl D wrote on Mar 14th, 2026 at 10:12am: ,,,but I've finally realised that when it comes to the crunch nobody gives a sh!t about anyone else but themselves. So you are hoarding also? Me, I top up every fortnight. ::)

Nope.

I got rid of my car 6 months ago and now I can see that I definitely made the right decision.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 14^th, 2026 at 7:18pm:

Jasin wrote on Mar 14th, 2026 at 5:04pm: It Bowen Therapy ;D Bowen couldn't organise a chook raffle in a pub.     ::)

But he could give you a Bowen Therapy Massage without actually touching you.
It's all in the Reiki.

As fuel reserves dry up and rationing takes hold and eventually only essential services will be provided with fuel, the railways can continue to operate, there are a number of steam locomotives still operational and many that can be put back into service.
Coal supplies are finite but for practical purposes inexhaustible.
Looking to the future the Government should be investing in new steam locomotives and building up an emergency fleet, steam locomotives will be more relevant than steam submarines to our future well being.

Japan has innovated steam engines without the need for coal.

Jasin wrote on Mar 15^th, 2026 at 1:42pm:

Japan has innovated steam engines without the need for coal.

Yes, running on compressed air, not a solution as you need another fuel to run the compressor.

Ahh. That's it. You're right Sir Eoin.

Now what kinda mor-ron would sign a country up to a deal where we send all our raw materials offshore, pay for freight to get it to processing, pay for processing and all taxes applicable there, then pay for freight to get it back including all entry taxes mostly imposed on the poor old end user ... and all the while leaving supply lines totally open to any attack by land or sea or air.. and all this time losing all the social stability and security, genuine national prosperity, profits and potential tax revenue for this country from home processing?

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Mar 15^th, 2026 at 12:55pm:

As fuel reserves dry up and rationing takes hold and eventually only essential services will be provided with fuel, the railways can continue to operate, there are a number of steam locomotives still operational and many that can be put back into service. Coal supplies are finite but for practical purposes inexhaustible. Looking to the future the Government should be investing in new steam locomotives and building up an emergency fleet, steam locomotives will be more relevant than steam submarines to our future well being.

Damn - you've been reading my WW IV series where the oil has dried up and steam engines are once again the vogue...

Addition:-  Kinda reminds you of 1942, doesn't it .. when the supply lines were stretched etc and such things as fuel were restricted - and then all that stood against loss of our nearest northern neighbour was the raw courage of 400 militia men.

I cannot believe we are being governed by such total fools.

Restore Australia Now!  (three word sound byte) ...

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Mar 15^th, 2026 at 6:49pm:

Now what kinda mor-ron would sign a country up to a deal where we send all our raw materials offshore, pay for freight to get it to processing, pay for processing and all taxes applicable there, then pay for freight to get it back including all entry taxes mostly imposed on the poor old end user ... and all the while leaving supply lines totally open to any attack by land or sea or air.. and all this time losing all the social stability and security, genuine national prosperity, profits and potential tax revenue for this country from home processing?

One who gets paid on the side with money, merchandise or women.

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Mar 15^th, 2026 at 6:51pm:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Mar 15th, 2026 at 12:55pm: As fuel reserves dry up and rationing takes hold and eventually only essential services will be provided with fuel, the railways can continue to operate, there are a number of steam locomotives still operational and many that can be put back into service. Coal supplies are finite but for practical purposes inexhaustible. Looking to the future the Government should be investing in new steam locomotives and building up an emergency fleet, steam locomotives will be more relevant than steam submarines to our future well being. Damn - you've been reading my WW IV series where the oil has dried up and steam engines are once again the vogue... Addition:-  Kinda reminds you of 1942, doesn't it .. when the supply lines were stretched etc and such things as fuel were restricted - and then all that stood against loss of our nearest northern neighbour was the raw courage of 400 militia men. I cannot believe we are being governed by such total fools. Restore Australia Now!  (three word sound byte) ...

Australia and even NZ have been scuttled to keep Europe and Asia afloat.

https://i.imgur.com/JRNr0K3.jpeg

Of the 10 big Renewables Projects in Australia. 6 are fully foreign owned, the 7th is half owned by CHINA. Just 3 are Australian.

Not very 'efficient' on Australia's behalf is Bowen.
I really think he is definitely on the take.

https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/usiran-live-updates-iran-threatens-to-pursue-and-kill-netanyahu/live-coverage/b9e89c2b04218e594d269637e4dabdd3


“ Experts have warned that Australia could be forced into rationing fuel if the war between the US and Israel against Iran persists much longer.”


The question I have is whether or not the uni party led by Albo and Anal ( what a terrible team) are actually capable of leading Australia through a time of crisis and uncertainty and unrest?


They both failed miserably during the Covid pandemic.

How can we possibly trust them again during this  supply disaster?

It’s not just fuel that’s skyrocketing everything else is going up on weekly basis by 6% now.

Not to mention outrageous electricity costs!


The Alp and the lnp as the uni party have been given near a century in government and failed completely.

I believe it’s time to start looking away from voting for them.

They are either incompetent or corrupt!

Rememer.

Bowen is the poster boy for the Dunning Kruger effect.

Valkie wrote on Mar 17^th, 2026 at 9:44am:

Rememer. Bowen is the poster boy for the Dunning Kruger effect.

Not to mention the Kessler Effect.


Welcome back Valkie

https://i.postimg.cc/3rDQHWWH/Screenshot-2026-03-17-063851.png

Wow – 4.1 percent now! -
fuel prices up and home loans up –
double whammy for many people.

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/rba-governor-michele-bullock-warns-of-costly-scenario-for-australia-it-will-be-much-worse-044102150.html

Against the backdrop of surging petrol prices and major disruptions to global supply chains,
the Reserve Bank felt it had to reduce domestic demand and send a message to consumers.

Vic wrote on Mar 4^th, 2026 at 6:19pm:

I don’t understand the problem.  Angus Taylor has zillions of litres of oil in a bunker in the USA.  Should be a breeze getting it here.  We know Angus would have done all the groundwork in case we needed it.   Thank the Lord the Adults were in Charge

Yeah, but would Donald release it if we asked??

That's it.

I'm going to have to puke.

He's at it again.

Chris Bowen declares rush on jerry cans ‘un-Australian’ as he urges end to panic buying of petrol


Quote:

Chris Bowen has insisted the country’s fuel supply is yet to be affected by the war in the Middle East while criticising a rush to buy jerry cans to fill up with petrol as “un-Australian”.

How many times do you need to be told, Chris? This behaviour is 100% Australian nowadays (and has been for a long time).

Allowing the 10 major Renewables projects to be developed in Australia being owned by 6 overseas Companies and a 7th part owned by CHINA is a good example of his own UN-Australianism.

Hypocrite

I’m reliably informed that both Albo and Bowen have contacted the USA government and formally asked for them to release our 90 days oil reserves stored in Texas under a deal done by Fantastic, great work Angus and Scomo.

It never got passed middle American government management and once they stopped laughing reply.

“President Trump will consider your request when his schedule permits “.

They then rolled around on floor in laughter.

The yanks laughed that their is one  fool born every minute  but Australia has a government full of fools!

https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/gas-giants-to-reap-billions-from-global-crisis-as-pm-mulls-new-tax/news-story/6d39c4b384129ec4fd47cdae70bffaca

“ Australia missed out on $63 billion in potential taxes from gas exports in just four years, new modelling suggests, as its fossil fuel “cartel” appears set to reap increased profits due to the Middle East crisis.”

“ news Ltd

Albo is considering it but first needs to understand that the initial decision to give our resources away for free by John Howard and the LNP has been paid off in full via brown paper  bags of  $100 notes to all the decision makers initially involved by the “ fuel cartel “.

Daves2017 wrote on Mar 20^th, 2026 at 1:26pm:

Australia missed out on $63 billion in potential taxes from gas exports in just four years, new modelling suggests...

Ah the models. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Oh the Australia Institute that's ok then. ;)

Bowen tonight said that there will no fuel rationing in the near future.

Full up now. Rationing will most likely start midday tomorrow .

This one is so true it’s scary!

---

;D

Bring the old era down! Bring it down.
Give the spoiled generation of now an adversity to challenge them.
Make way for a better future and world.

... pollution levels are dropping ;)
Suck in the fresh air. :)

Vic wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2026 at 11:02am:

This one is so true it’s scary!

Now explain how renewables will make it into Australia. ;)

Is Bowen seeing this as an opportunity to rush in those foreign owned Renewable Projects as our saviour?

He performs like that Mayor of Amityville Island in Jaws.
Nothing to panic about folks!  ::)

I believe it’s fair and reasonable to ask what all levels of government are doing to conserve our couple of weeks left of fuel.

Are taxpayers funded comcars now being shared between politicians rather than one car per politician?

Indeed why aren’t they simply being collected  daily by a bus and taken to and from work?

The immediate removal of any taxpayer funded travel from Anika Wells would add at least three extra days supply to the national total!



The reports that Tony Burqa flew from Brisbane  to Canberra and back within the Iran soccer team promotion should be held up to a senate enquire.

Why did he have to fly?

What couldn’t have been discussed via a phone call ?

Will senior nsw state politicians continue to use com cars to collect their children from school and enjoy free taxpayer funded travel on drunken winery tours?

Will council trucks continue to drive around in circles doing  nothing more than avoiding going back to the depot where they may be asked to perform a job?


What  is our leaders plan to tighten their belts and lead by example?

I’m not holding my breath that they have one.

We will all suffer but it will be rorts as usual for the government.

Cop Yer Whack Fer This!

---

Classic!

Bowen reminding the LNP about getting our oil back from Texas.  Houston! We have a problem.

https://x.com/squizzstk/status/2035922229490508071

lee wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2026 at 12:55pm:

Vic wrote on Mar 23rd, 2026 at 11:02am: This one is so true it’s scary! Now explain how renewables will make it into Australia. ;)

Geez Lee - chill out!    The posting was meant to demonstrate that no matter how high or deep our thinking, decisions made and discarded, bureaus formed and unformed, clouds filled with data etc - at the moment if the little plank of Hormuz goes away - it all turns to custard.     I thought it a very good “cartoon"

Now let me get this straight..... ther is more fuel in Australia rtioday than when this Iran business started.... say government sources = ministers .... so even if some people are hoarding and panicking ........ how does that create a NEED to instantly raise the prices by 50% and skywards?

ONLY if there is a genuine shortage is there any NEED to raise prices - so this is all lies to cover over blatant price gouging that brings to the government coffers more tax.

Governent and big business working in lockstep again.

So - simple - no filling of containers ....... should have been the case a fortnight ago.... if that doesn't work odd numbers and even numbers on odd and even days.  I can live with that - I've got about 450 km range in my tank.... full range is 900+ (diesel) ... only NEED to go to town - say a 100 km round trip - for doctors and groceries etc - piss up at the club (one beer and $20 flung at pokies) - so copping even $50 every two days is more than enough for me, and I live out of town.

The biggest cry heard is - WHY ARE GOVERNMENTS NOT ACTING NOW IF THERE IS A CRISIS?

See above about operating in lockstep with business... banks clearly over property... now fuel. 

Anyone need any more persuading that Labor is NOT the party of the people and the overall aim is to rape the people as much as possible?

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Mar 25^th, 2026 at 7:34pm:

Now let me get this straight..... ther is more fuel in Australia rtioday than when this Iran business started.... say government sources = ministers ....

You mean they lied? Then or now?  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Mar 25^th, 2026 at 7:34pm:

Now let me get this straight..... ther is more fuel in Australia rtioday than when this Iran business started.... say government sources = ministers .... so even if some people are hoarding and panicking ........ how does that create a NEED to instantly raise the prices by 50% and skywards? ONLY if there is a genuine shortage is there any NEED to raise prices - so this is all lies to cover over blatant price gouging that brings to the government coffers more tax. Governent and big business working in lockstep again. So - simple - no filling of containers ....... should have been the case a fortnight ago.... if that doesn't work odd numbers and even numbers on odd and even days.  I can live with that - I've got about 450 km range in my tank.... full range is 900+ (diesel) ... only NEED to go to town - say a 100 km round trip - for doctors and groceries etc - piss up at the club (one beer and $20 flung at pokies) - so copping even $50 every two days is more than enough for me, and I live out of town. The biggest cry heard is - WHY ARE GOVERNMENTS NOT ACTING NOW IF THERE IS A CRISIS? See above about operating in lockstep with business... banks clearly over property... now fuel.  Anyone need any more persuading that Labor is NOT the party of the people and the overall aim is to rape the people as much as possible?

By far the worst in this were the servos controlled by Woolworths and Coles.   The mere sniff of middle east disturbance sent prices fron 1.87 a litre for U/L to 2.30.   It is now 2.80 and dieso is 3.10.

It is about time the big two supermarkets were split up so that the conglomerate as a whole don’t subsidise the under performers by excessive fuel and grocery prices.     I think we are still paying high prices at woolworths to repay the “Masters Hardware” fiasco.  They lost zillions on that one

Vic wrote on Mar 26^th, 2026 at 5:38pm:

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Mar 25th, 2026 at 7:34pm: Now let me get this straight..... ther is more fuel in Australia rtioday than when this Iran business started.... say government sources = ministers .... so even if some people are hoarding and panicking ........ how does that create a NEED to instantly raise the prices by 50% and skywards? ONLY if there is a genuine shortage is there any NEED to raise prices - so this is all lies to cover over blatant price gouging that brings to the government coffers more tax. Governent and big business working in lockstep again. So - simple - no filling of containers ....... should have been the case a fortnight ago.... if that doesn't work odd numbers and even numbers on odd and even days.  I can live with that - I've got about 450 km range in my tank.... full range is 900+ (diesel) ... only NEED to go to town - say a 100 km round trip - for doctors and groceries etc - piss up at the club (one beer and $20 flung at pokies) - so copping even $50 every two days is more than enough for me, and I live out of town. The biggest cry heard is - WHY ARE GOVERNMENTS NOT ACTING NOW IF THERE IS A CRISIS? See above about operating in lockstep with business... banks clearly over property... now fuel.  Anyone need any more persuading that Labor is NOT the party of the people and the overall aim is to rape the people as much as possible? By far the worst in this were the servos controlled by Woolworths and Coles.   The mere sniff of middle east disturbance sent prices fron 1.87 a litre for U/L to 2.30.   It is now 2.80 and dieso is 3.10. It is about time the big two supermarkets were split up so that the conglomerate as a whole don’t subsidise the under performers by excessive fuel and grocery prices.     I think we are still paying high prices at woolworths to repay the “Masters Hardware” fiasco.  They lost zillions on that one

The price is high everywhere. It's the importers and wholesalers, not the retailers.

Why does Austalia depend on imported energy, FFS!!!  Imported from unreliable sources via unreliable routes!   *ucking madness.

Frank wrote on Mar 26^th, 2026 at 7:22pm:

Vic wrote on Mar 26th, 2026 at 5:38pm: Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Mar 25th, 2026 at 7:34pm: Now let me get this straight..... ther is more fuel in Australia rtioday than when this Iran business started.... say government sources = ministers .... so even if some people are hoarding and panicking ........ how does that create a NEED to instantly raise the prices by 50% and skywards? ONLY if there is a genuine shortage is there any NEED to raise prices - so this is all lies to cover over blatant price gouging that brings to the government coffers more tax. Governent and big business working in lockstep again. So - simple - no filling of containers ....... should have been the case a fortnight ago.... if that doesn't work odd numbers and even numbers on odd and even days.  I can live with that - I've got about 450 km range in my tank.... full range is 900+ (diesel) ... only NEED to go to town - say a 100 km round trip - for doctors and groceries etc - piss up at the club (one beer and $20 flung at pokies) - so copping even $50 every two days is more than enough for me, and I live out of town. The biggest cry heard is - WHY ARE GOVERNMENTS NOT ACTING NOW IF THERE IS A CRISIS? See above about operating in lockstep with business... banks clearly over property... now fuel.  Anyone need any more persuading that Labor is NOT the party of the people and the overall aim is to rape the people as much as possible? By far the worst in this were the servos controlled by Woolworths and Coles.   The mere sniff of middle east disturbance sent prices fron 1.87 a litre for U/L to 2.30.   It is now 2.80 and dieso is 3.10. It is about time the big two supermarkets were split up so that the conglomerate as a whole don’t subsidise the under performers by excessive fuel and grocery prices.     I think we are still paying high prices at woolworths to repay the “Masters Hardware” fiasco.  They lost zillions on that one The price is high everywhere. It's the importers and wholesalers, not the retailers. Why does Austalia depend on imported energy, FFS!!!  Imported from unreliable sources via unreliable routes!   *ucking madness.

Surprisingly Frank, two “independants” in my area kept their prices nearly 60c p/l below the big two.    Naturally, they are overwhelmed by demand and ran out.   The kicker here was no fuel= no customers= no in store sales!    The bloke in the store reckons he is losing hundreds per day as no one is stocking up on pies, dimmies,smokes and lollies.

https://i.imgur.com/i3MBsLz.jpeg

Vic wrote on Mar 27^th, 2026 at 6:10am:

Frank wrote on Mar 26th, 2026 at 7:22pm: Vic wrote on Mar 26th, 2026 at 5:38pm: Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Mar 25th, 2026 at 7:34pm: Now let me get this straight..... ther is more fuel in Australia rtioday than when this Iran business started.... say government sources = ministers .... so even if some people are hoarding and panicking ........ how does that create a NEED to instantly raise the prices by 50% and skywards? ONLY if there is a genuine shortage is there any NEED to raise prices - so this is all lies to cover over blatant price gouging that brings to the government coffers more tax. Governent and big business working in lockstep again. So - simple - no filling of containers ....... should have been the case a fortnight ago.... if that doesn't work odd numbers and even numbers on odd and even days.  I can live with that - I've got about 450 km range in my tank.... full range is 900+ (diesel) ... only NEED to go to town - say a 100 km round trip - for doctors and groceries etc - piss up at the club (one beer and $20 flung at pokies) - so copping even $50 every two days is more than enough for me, and I live out of town. The biggest cry heard is - WHY ARE GOVERNMENTS NOT ACTING NOW IF THERE IS A CRISIS? See above about operating in lockstep with business... banks clearly over property... now fuel.  Anyone need any more persuading that Labor is NOT the party of the people and the overall aim is to rape the people as much as possible? By far the worst in this were the servos controlled by Woolworths and Coles.   The mere sniff of middle east disturbance sent prices fron 1.87 a litre for U/L to 2.30.   It is now 2.80 and dieso is 3.10. It is about time the big two supermarkets were split up so that the conglomerate as a whole don’t subsidise the under performers by excessive fuel and grocery prices.     I think we are still paying high prices at woolworths to repay the “Masters Hardware” fiasco.  They lost zillions on that one The price is high everywhere. It's the importers and wholesalers, not the retailers. Why does Austalia depend on imported energy, FFS!!!  Imported from unreliable sources via unreliable routes!   *ucking madness. Surprisingly Frank, two “independants” in my area kept their prices nearly 60c p/l below the big two.    Naturally, they are overwhelmed by demand and ran out.   The kicker here was no fuel= no customers= no in store sales!    The bloke in the store reckons he is losing hundreds per day as no one is stocking up on pies, dimmies,smokes and lollies.

https://www.spectator.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/bursteinswan-28-mar_post.jpg

Vic wrote on Mar 27^th, 2026 at 6:10am:

Surprisingly Frank, two “independants” in my area kept their prices nearly 60c p/l below the big two.    Naturally, they are overwhelmed by demand and ran out.   The kicker here was no fuel= no customers= no in store sales!    The bloke in the store reckons he is losing hundreds per day as no one is stocking up on pies, dimmies,smokes and lollies.

The law of unintended consequences in action.

Average electricity debt for customers on hardship programs have increased over the past year as Energy minister Chris Bowen has wound back rebates.

Australia’s energy customers are sliding back into financial stress just as government support fades, undercutting the promise of lower power bills set to begin within weeks and touted by Labor as evidence its renewables-led energy policy is easing cost pressures.

The latest figures from the Australian Energy Regulator show a renewed deterioration in household energy affordability that is set to accelerate as the war in Iran drives a fresh inflation shock — intensifying pressure on the federal Labor government.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said last month households stood to claim savings of up to 10.1 per cent on their bills under the draft benchmark price proposed by the regulator.

Average electricity debt for customers on hardship programs has jumped 22.8 per cent over the past year to $2392, while gas hardship debt is up 23.2 per cent. At the same time, the share of customers in arrears has risen across all stages of debt, including early-stage missed payments — a sign that financial pressure is broadening beyond the most vulnerable.

The regulator warned that “energy debt and the ability of customers experiencing financial difficulty to repay debt and current usage costs remains a concern,” adding that the increase in hardship balances “deepens the challenge of repayment and further highlights the need for retailers to provide effective and timely support.”

“Energy debt and the ability of customers experiencing financial difficulty to repay debt and current usage costs remains a concern,” the AER report read.

The shift comes after a period of relative improvement, when federal energy rebates and lower gas prices helped suppress debt levels and reduce the number of customers seeking assistance. But with those supports now unwinding, the latest data suggests the underlying strain from higher electricity prices and cost-of-living pressures is reasserting itself.


Nuffin to do wiv Iran, Cwissy.

Bowen is the poster boy for the Dunning Kruger effect.

As bright as a blown globes.

As useful as an ashtray on a sports motorcycle.

As competent as a dead cane toad.

And as self opinionated as any who have come before him.

All I can say is that his constituents must all be retarded.
I can imagine them wandering the streets, drooling, dragging their knuckles and lining up at centalink every day.

Funny ... Jimbo on the ABC today talking about securing our supplies of ... "liquid fuels" or "traditional fuels".

Dare not say the two words: FOSSIL FUELS.  ;D

So if energy security is paramount, now, why has there been no attempt at approvals for liquid fuel extraction? ::)

A question I have is how much more money is being wasted buying oil at “ spot prices “ ( the dearest price you can get)  against the costs of having 90 days oil in reserve in the country (unlike Anus Taylor’s USA storage stupidly)?

Our transparent Albo labor government is refusing to give the price details that their lack of planning has created.

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 2:18pm:

A question I have is how much more money is being wasted buying oil at “ spot prices “ ( the dearest price you can get)  against the costs of having 90 days oil in reserve in the country (unlike Anus Taylor’s USA storage stupidly)? Our transparent Albo labor government is refusing to give the price details that their lack of planning has created.

We're never told what's going on.
Albo pulled a figure of $20 billion out of his arse
to say that would be the cost per annum of maintaining a 90 day supply of fuel.
I don't believe that.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 3:40pm:

Albo pulled a figure of $20 billion out of his arse to say that would be the cost per annum of maintaining a 90 day supply of fuel.

Just think what that $20 billion could do for fossil fuel extraction of our own resources. More than 90 days supply. ::)

lee wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 4:10pm:

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 3:40pm: Albo pulled a figure of $20 billion out of his arse to say that would be the cost per annum of maintaining a 90 day supply of fuel. Just think what that $20 billion could do for fossil fuel extraction of our own resources. More than 90 days supply. ::)

Yeah but I reckon Albo was talking cock and bull.   ::)

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 4:14pm:

Yeah but I reckon Albo was talking cock and bull.

I agree. He won't be backtracking from the green agenda anytime soon.

lee wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 4:20pm:

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:14pm: Yeah but I reckon Albo was talking cock and bull.    I agree. He won't be backtracking from the green agenda anytime soon.

Basically you need tanks farms to store the fuel.

You also have to use the older fuel first or it goes stale.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 4:23pm:

lee wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:20pm: Bobby. wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:14pm: Yeah but I reckon Albo was talking cock and bull.    I agree. He won't be backtracking from the green agenda anytime soon. Basically you need tanks farms to store the fuel. You also have to use the older fuel first or it goes stale.

Yep. Which means constant turnover. I suspect the numpty politicians will think "buy it now and use when we get another crisis". ::)

lee wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 4:25pm:

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:23pm: lee wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:20pm: Bobby. wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:14pm: Yeah but I reckon Albo was talking cock and bull.    I agree. He won't be backtracking from the green agenda anytime soon. Basically you need tanks farms to store the fuel. You also have to use the older fuel first or it goes stale. Yep. Which means constant turnover. I suspect the numpty politicians will think "buy it now and use when we get another crisis". ::)

Albo and Bowen don't know.   ::)

Did you see Albo walking around the Singapore refinery?

He looked absolutely amazed!

“ You do all this without a single windmill? It’s incredible! “ he reported uttering shocked to see a first world industrial area.

Daves2017 wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 10:03pm:

Did you see Albo walking around the Singapore refinery? He looked absolutely amazed! “ You do all this without a single windmill? It’s incredible! “ he reported uttering shocked to see a first world industrial area.

It's embarrassing -
a tiny island like Singapore with no natural resources -
that has better technology and industry than us -
we're a whole continent and we can't even use or refine enough of our own oil 
for our small population.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 10^th, 2026 at 4:23pm:

lee wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:20pm: Bobby. wrote on Apr 10th, 2026 at 4:14pm: Yeah but I reckon Albo was talking cock and bull.    I agree. He won't be backtracking from the green agenda anytime soon. Basically you need tanks farms to store the fuel. You also have to use the older fuel first or it goes stale.

Quote:

A typical large-scale refinery holds storage capacity equivalent to roughly 10–30 days of production, encompassing storage for both crude oil and finished products. While individual tanks can hold over 1 million barrels (approx. 159 million litres), total site storage varies widely, often exceeding hundreds of millions of litres to manage shipping, production, and supply fluctuations.

We need to use our own oil resources(stop exporting it) and build new refineries.

Front page of today's The West Australian.

Gee, what a surprise.

I'm sure if I'd bothered to read the whole story on pages 4 and 5 I would have seen some stupid pollie say it's "un-Australian" and/or "not the Australian way".  ::)

I only get the Saturday paper for one of my elderly neighbours and I only have a quick look through it before I take it to her.

I'm not paying $4 for a Saturday "news"paper that is two thirds to three quarters full of ads - mostly Harvey Norman and Domayne ads, of course.

---

Gnads wrote on Apr 11^th, 2026 at 10:11am:

We need to use our own oil resources(stop exporting it) and build new refineries.

We need new investment in exploration and drilling. But the numpties currently in power have belief in diffuse renewables. Solar 25% (sometimes, not at all at night), Wind 30%, spread over thousands of hectares (when it blows).

Despite what greenies say the world still relies on about 90% fossil fuels. ::)

Carl D wrote on Apr 11^th, 2026 at 1:29pm:

Front page of today's The West Australian. Gee, what a surprise. I'm sure if I'd bothered to read the whole story on pages 4 and 5 I would have seen some stupid pollie say it's "un-Australian" and/or "not the Australian way".  ::) I only get the Saturday paper for one of my elderly neighbours and I only have a quick look through it before I take it to her. I'm not paying $4 for a Saturday "news"paper that is two thirds to three quarters full of ads - mostly Harvey Norman and Domayne ads, of course.

And the ACCC will do………. Nothing

Regardless there will be no return to any attempt to explore or refine our own natural resources.

Until China takes Taiwan and control of Asian ocean ways.

Then we will see Korea unified finally again and  they will go to war with  the Japanese driven by Russia.

Then and only then will we realise it’s all too late and we actually lack the ability to even explore or refine anything without our Chinese backers.

We will continue to make A grade coffee and eggs and smashed avo  as the Hawk / Keating government created a whole generation of  casual chefs and waiters.

Moving any engineering or production skills offshore as fast as they could.

Our superannuation will disappear to help “ keep the lights on” at around the same time all our political elites past and present will suddenly disappear to lands less of  poverty

Than eventually and in many centuries too come,

People will again travel by more than foot or  cycle or horse drawn carts and there will be tours to visit our  long forgotten wind farms and solar farms and people will wonder in awe how a country so blessed in the world with natural resources and no neighbours or  continent wars  was  destroyed by there own means and money by this-

18 th century technology of wind and solar power.

Some will laugh, some will cry.

All will judge us with utter disdains.

BREAKING: Motorists urged to cut floor out of cars and go full Flintstone to save fuel.

https://i.imgur.com/g2Swz1a.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/bazvhcC.jpeg

Can we just stick to one Pollie from Australia jetting around the world to secure Fuel for us?     Now Wong is on the gravy train.   Why isn’t Anthea Harris - Fuel Supply Taskforce Head - doing all this?  She was appointed by Albo to co-ordinate our fuel stocks and do all the heavy lifting, so it stands to reason she should go instead of this turning into a multi-pollie jet fest.   Next they will be sending Barnaby Joyce as there really no great difference between water and petrol when it comes to heading off O/S

Coal consumption by country, 2024

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/global-coal-consumption-2024-768x1138.webp

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/global-coal-consumption-2024-768x1138.jpeg

I'd like to know how many LIEBOR , green and teal members have heavily invested in the green dream.

TEN THOUSAND households had their power disconnected in just the second half of 2025 in NSW alone because they could not pay their power bill.

10 thousand. In half a year. Just in NSW.

WT actual F?

It's robbery of our resources - treason.
It's corruption - the pollies who get paid off should be in jail for life.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGuuzxNQKRE

The foreign-owned gas lobby is so rattled they've started running attack ads about me -

let's break down their lies and watch the comments demolish them in real time.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 12:19am:

It's robbery of our resources - treason.

Australia has no resources, Blooby.


So why are you complaining other than your white male privilege?

Marla wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 1:42am:

Bobby. wrote on Apr 29th, 2026 at 12:19am: It's robbery of our resources - treason. Australia has no resources, Blooby. So why are you complaining other than your white male privilege?

You fool - Australians own a whole continent -
we have plenty of resources for only 28 million people.   ::)

Marla wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 1:42am:

Bobby. wrote on Apr 29th, 2026 at 12:19am: It's robbery of our resources - treason. Australia has no resources, Blooby. So why are you complaining other than your white male privilege?

Marla,
you are the result of a piss poor education system in the USA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro8WY5wyAMo



  This Frank Zappa interview proves he was right all along.

   Schools train people to be ignorant with style.

    They give you the equipment that you need to be a functional ignoramus.

   American schools do not equip you to deal with things like logic. They don't give you the criteria by which to judge

between good and bad in any medium or format.

    and they prepare you to be a usable victim for a military-industrial complex that needs manpower. As long as you're

   just smart enough to do a job and just dumb enough to swallow what they feed you, you're going to be all right.

    Many young people today walk around like they've been lobbomized with a colored crayon. Just turn the clock back to 1981 and listen to Frank Zappa lay it out

    plain and simple. So I believe that [music] schools mechanically and very specifically try and breed out any hint

   of creative thought and the kids that are coming up.

Speaking of fuel ...

I see that Bowen has approved an 11% rise in electricity supply charges in some areas (9% in others) starting in July this year.

Way to go!

Inflation running high ... let's make it run even higher!  ::)

Captain Nemo wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 10:22am:

Speaking of fuel ... I see that Bowen has approved an 11% rise in electricity supply charges in some areas (9% in others) starting in July this year. Way to go! Inflation running high ... let's make it run even higher!  ::)

I am not sure why Ministers determine price rises in sectors like Electricity and Health Funds.      Health in particular seems to go up well over the CPI or what ever is the benchmark.     To his credit though, at least it is out there and we know about it, rather than hiding it to try and win an election.

"The former energy minister Angus Taylor asked his department to consider delaying telling voters about electricity price rises before the May election, then made the decision to do so.”

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/10/angus-taylor-behind-decision-to-delay-energy-price-rise-report-until-after-2022-election

Vic wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 1:26pm:

"The former energy minister Angus Taylor asked his department to consider delaying telling voters about electricity price rises before the May election, then made the decision to do so.”

And?

lee wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 2:25pm:

Vic wrote on Apr 29th, 2026 at 1:26pm: "The former energy minister Angus Taylor asked his department to consider delaying telling voters about electricity price rises before the May election, then made the decision to do so.” And?

Take it in context Mr Lee - you can’t just selectively post snippets of a conversation, when that conversation is a reply to another poster.   Back to Staff College for you!

Vic wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 5:31pm:

you can’t just selectively post snippets of a conversation, when that conversation is a reply to another poster.

Of course I can. There must have been a reason for the post. He wasn't going to release it and then did. Nothing unusual about that in politics.

lee wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 5:41pm:

Vic wrote on Apr 29th, 2026 at 5:31pm: you can’t just selectively post snippets of a conversation, when that conversation is a reply to another poster.  Of course I can. There must have been a reason for the post. He wasn't going to release it and then did. Nothing unusual about that in politics.

The original post was about Bowen approving a rise.
My reply was to the effect of at least we know about it.

Angus  wasn’t going to release it - in fact he decided to hide it from the public because of the upcoming election - even when the original legislation required it to be released in May.   Contrary to your reply as above, he didn't even get to release it at all because he got the boot, so around 1/3 of your reply gets marked today.

In other news it looks like DFRDB will rise another 2.4 - 2.6% in July

Vic wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 5:54pm:

Contrary to your reply as above, he didn't even get to release it at all because he got the boot, so around 1/3 of your reply gets marked today.

My error.


Vic wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 5:54pm:

In other news it looks like DFRDB will rise another 2.4 - 2.6% in July

yes and lowly paid bureaucrats on more get at least 4% on their miserable wages to make up for the cost of living. ;)

lee wrote on Apr 29^th, 2026 at 6:14pm:

Vic wrote on Apr 29th, 2026 at 5:54pm: Contrary to your reply as above, he didn't even get to release it at all because he got the boot, so around 1/3 of your reply gets marked today. My error. Vic wrote on Apr 29th, 2026 at 5:54pm: In other news it looks like DFRDB will rise another 2.4 - 2.6% in July yes and lowly paid bureaucrats on more get at least 4% on their miserable wages to make up for the cost of living. ;)

And poor struggling pensioners get stuff all even though they are on poverty money.