Related articles<\/p>\n
Location of Australia<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/en.wikinews.org\/wiki\/File:Australia_(orthographic_projection).svg\")
<\/a>Collaborate!<\/p>\n Friday, March 13, 2026<\/strong> Chris Bowen<\/a><\/span>, Australian<\/a><\/span> Minister for Climate Change and Energy<\/a><\/span>, allowed the usage of dirtier fuel with elevated sulfur content for 60 days, he announced on Thursday. As a part of the change, the oil refineries were required to prioritise supply to farmers in rural areas. This decision followed issues with oil exports caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict, as fuel prices rose rapidly to over A$<\/a><\/span>2\/L.\n<\/p>\n The lower quality oil was previously exported to countries with lower fuel standards. With the new temporarily changes in place, it would now be allowed to be used in Australia. One of the two oil refineries, Ampol<\/a><\/span>, noted rural areas supply would be prioritised.\n<\/p>\n Additionally, Bowen announced Australia would release 100 million liters from its reserve oil supply per month, in response to a request from the International Energy Agency<\/a><\/span> (IEA).\n<\/p>\n The issue appeared related to the growing demand while supply was essentially unchanged. As people stockpiled fuel, and the demand has doubled, there were concerns over panic buying by Australians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on longer term impacts of the situation on economics in Australia, talking with ABC Television<\/i> on Thursday.\n<\/p>\n<\/a>
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\n <\/a><\/span>\n<\/td>\nIf [the Strait of Hormuz] shipping route remains effectively closed then that will have ongoing consequences for fuel prices, production, supply chains and of course an inflationary impact right around the world. –Prime Minister Anthony Albanese\n<\/td>\n <\/a><\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n