Labor to underwrite Australian fuel imports under new security powers to ensure supply

<p>PM did not rule out later fuel rationing or work-from-home measures but said he strongly preferred ‘voluntary arrangements’</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The Australian government will take on the financial risk of additional imports of essential products affected by the war in the Middle East, to get extra supplies of petrol, diesel and fertiliser into the country.</p><p>The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced the new fuel security powers on Saturday after a month of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/27/australia-fuel-supply-petrol-diesel-prices">soaring diesel and petrol prices</a> and widespread shortages at service stations, particularly in regional Australia.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/28/anthony-albanese-chris-bowen-fuel-security-powers-oil-crisis-petrol-diesel-prices">Continue reading...</a>