19 th March 2026 - Australia , Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a snap National Cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders this Wednesday to address a worsening fuel crisis that has seen regional towns run dry and prices skyrocket across the country. As the Middle East conflict continues to choke global shipping lanes, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has simultaneously launched an urgent enforcement investigation into major fuel suppliers like Ampol, BP, Mobil, and Viva Energy over allegations of anti-competitive conduct and regional supply withholding

19th March 2026 - Australia

, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called a snap National Cabinet meeting with state and territory leaders this Wednesday to address a worsening fuel crisis that has seen regional towns run dry and prices skyrocket across the country. As the Middle East conflict continues to choke global shipping lanes, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has simultaneously launched an urgent enforcement investigation into major fuel suppliers like Ampol, BP, Mobil, and Viva Energy over allegations of anti-competitive conduct and regional supply withholding. The crisis, which began following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz two weeks ago, has moved from a global geopolitical concern to a kitchen-table emergency for millions of Australians. While the Federal Government maintains that national fuel stocks remain secure, panic buying and logistics bottlenecks have left service stations in regional Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland rationing diesel and unleaded petrol.

In a press conference from Hobart, Prime Minister Albanese announced the appointment of Anthea Harris as the new fuel supply taskforce coordinator. The government has already authorized the release of up to 20% of the nation’s diesel and fuel reserves, approximately 762 million litres to alleviate pressure on independent retailers. "I want to assure Australians that we are well prepared, but I want us to be over-prepared," the Prime Minister stated. "There is not less fuel in Australia today than there was three weeks ago. Every ship due to land has landed. This is an issue of increased demand." Parallel to the emergency meeting, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb confirmed the watchdog is investigating whether major suppliers are intentionally limiting diesel availability to independent wholesalers who service rural Australia.

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb

"We have received reports of alleged anti-competitive behavior," Ms. Cass-Gottlieb said. "It is not our usual practice to publicly announce investigations, but given the significance of this issue, we are confirming this enforcement action." The ACCC is also monitoring over 500 reports of price-gouging, with some regional prices reportedly hitting $2.60 per litre for diesel. As National Cabinet moves to coordinate state-level distribution powers, the message to the public remains one of restraint. The government has temporarily relaxed fuel quality standards to allow Australian made fuel intended for export to stay onshore, but officials warn that a long-term resolution depends entirely on the de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East. For now, the Fuel Supply Taskforce faces the monumental task of stabilizing a market on the brink of a systemic shock.

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