The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has called on state and federal governments to ensure fuel supply to regional areas as Gippslanders struggle with rising fuel costs and supply restrictions in the wake of war in the Middle East.
Mr O’Brien said local fuel distributors were facing some supply restrictions, largely due to panic-buying, at a time when farmers need fuel for sowing.
“State and federal governments need to work with the major fuel companies to ensure regional Victoria is not left behind. Reports of supply restrictions are a huge concern, with farmers in particular waiting for deliveries, while transport companies and other essential services need fuel to keep our local economy ticking over.
“Without farmers and truckies getting fuel we’ll come to a pretty serious problem pretty quickly.
“People also need to be aware that panic-buying is counter-productive and driving the supply concerns – please only buy fuel if you need it now.”
Mr O’Brien said the state government’s band-aid fuel price watch app was already being shown to be of little use.
From 11 March, fuel retailers must set and publish their prices a day in advance, with motorists able to compare prices using the Servo Saver feature on the Service Victoria app.
Mr O’Brien said any measure that helps people find cheaper fuel is worth knowing about, particularly when household budgets are already under strain.
“Gippslanders are feeling the pinch and many families are carefully watching every dollar they spend,” Mr O’Brien said.
“But prices are rising so rapidly and the government’s services is only replicating those already in existence. Given the costs, it’s hardly worth it.
“Under Labor people are already being hit by rising power bills, higher charges and a growing list of state taxes.”
Mr O’Brien said the Allan Labor Government had failed to properly address the broader cost-of-living crisis facing Gippslanders.