The Australian government has encouraged people to go ahead with their Easter travel plans despite fuel shortages at hundreds of petrol stations across the country.
“Easter is a very important time for faith and family,” Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on Saturday, adding: “Go on holiday, but only buy the fuel you need,” the BBC notes.
Fuel prices in Australia have risen sharply since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran and amid the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments.
The Energy Minister said 312 of Australia's roughly 8,000 gas stations were without diesel, most of them in rural areas where refueling takes longer.
In a televised speech, he said Australia has reserves of 39 days of petrol, 29 days of diesel and 30 days of jet fuel.
Australia imports about 90% of its fuel from the Middle East and has been hit hard by the disruption caused by the conflict and Tehran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The near-total suspension of international shipping on this critical route, which carries about 20 percent of the world's oil and natural gas, has prompted governments around the world to adopt fuel-saving measures.
In a rare televised address to the nation on Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that the economic shock from the Middle East conflict would be felt for months.
“Australia is not a direct party to this war. But all Australians are paying higher prices because of it,” he said.
The Prime Minister encouraged Australians to reduce non-essential fuel use and use public transport where possible.
A small number of ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.
Photo: Alptraum | Dreamstime.com
