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Conflict in the Middle East is hitting back pockets in Gippsland, as fuel surges upwards of $2 2 a litre.
All photographs: Blake Metcalf-Holt
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
IN the week following Iran's retaliation to the US-Israel airstrikes, many Australians rushed to the petrol pumps in anticipation of prices soaring. Across the Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland region, many service stations are beginning to, if not already, tick over $2 a litre. Financial experts and federal ministers said that the effects on the cost of fuel are expected to be felt in the weeks ahead, and in addition to gas prices rising significantly, will inevitably put more strain on the economy. Gippsland continued to tick upwards last week, while service stations across metro suburbs around Melbourne rarely sat below $2, similar to surges around Sydney and Brisbane. Many Latrobe Valley locals have expressed their frustration and warned others about potential price gouging in certain towns. Hysteria has been sensed across the country, with many rushing to service
stations with jerry cans in hand. The Timberline General Store in Heyfield issued a notice on its Facebook that it had ran out of diesel last Friday. The local business urged customers to stop panic buying or otherwise be forced to put limits on all vehicles until it settles. Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said that the conflict in the Middle East shouldn't be used as an excuse for price gouging. "Gippslanders are already doing it tough under Labor's cost of living crisis, so the last thing families and small businesses need is uncertainty around fuel supply and surging prices," he said. "The government should be doing everything it can right now to ensure Australia has secure fuel supplies and a clear plan to protect regional communities if this situation escalates. "What Gippslanders want is certainty. Farmers, freight operators, tradies and families rely on fuel every single day, and any disruption hits regional communities the hardest."
Last Thursday, local not-for-profit Willow House Community Support ran a free fresh food day out of its Boolarra Avenue, Newborough hub, relieving some financial burden off families with the rapid rise of fuel and cost of living concerns. Mr Chester also urged the Labor government to better tackle inflation and cost of living, adding that the safeguards for Australia's fuel reserve must be maintained and strengthened. The most recent Home Value Index, shows Latrobe Valley is second in regional Victoria for highest 12-month value growth (14.4 per cent) as of February 28 at a median value of $493,543. The federal government has attempted to lower concerns over fuel prices. Energy Minister Chris Bowen provided an update on the expectation of fuel prices two days onward from Sunday, March 1 - the day of the first airstrikes on Iran. "Australia enters this period of great instability very well prepared, much
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better prepared than in previous crises," he said on Tuesday, March 3. "Australia's refineries and companies are required to keep a stock of fuel on hand in Australia just for this type of eventuality, and I'm pleased to say that we are currently in excess of the minimum stock obligations." In reality, Australia housed less than 40 days of petrol, diesel and jet fuel at the time the Middle East conflict started, well below the International Energy Agency's (IEA) requirement of 90 days of emergency stock. As an IEA member, Australia has failed to meet these standards consistently since 2012. Australia does store emergency oil supplies in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, following an arrangement in 2020, but this would take two to three weeks to be shipped. Minister Bowen went on to acknowledge the "challenges and difficulties" the country will experience in due time. Continued - PAGE 4
BATTLE OF THE BRUSHES PAGE 19
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