Appointment of Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator

The Albanese Government has appointed Anthea Harris as Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator - a new role, supporting the work governments around the country are doing to ensure Australia is overprepared and quick to respond when facing fuel and other supply chain challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

The Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

• Leading a new Fuel Supply Taskforce that will be established in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• Driving coordination between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on fuel security and supply chain resilience.
• Providing consistent, coordinated updates to the Commonwealth and States and Territories on our fuel supply outlook as well as our domestic fuel distribution.
• Supporting State and Territory governments to get fuels to their regions where they are in demand, and act as a single convening point for fuel supply and forward planning.

The Commonwealth Government is responsible for national fuel security and supply, and will work with States and Territories to support distribution within their jurisdictions.

This is a cross portfolio coordination role, ensuring the decisions of Government are implemented quickly and smoothly.

With shortages in specific areas due to an increase in demand in some locations, and further supply chain challenges expected throughout coming weeks and months, Ms Harris's taskforce will lead coordination work to ensure the best outcomes for Australians and Australian businesses.

Anthea Harris is formerly the CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Security Board. Prior to this, she was Deputy Secretary of the Energy Group within the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Australia is well prepared for the challenges coming from the Middle East conflict, and our fuel supply is currently secure.

Since the conflict commenced two weeks ago the Commonwealth government has taken swift action to:

• Release up to 20 per cent of our diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages.
• Temporarily amend national fuel standards to keep more Australian-made fuels onshore
• Crack down on petrol company price gouging.

This appointment is the next step in shielding Australia from the worst of the economic challenges coming from the Middle East.

The Australian Government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese

"I want to reassure Australians - Australia is well prepared.

"Our fuel supply is currently secure - but I want us to be over-prepared.

"Anthea Harris is the right person to lead the work across governments ensuring fuel supply remains resilient and challenges coming from the Middle East are dealt with here in the Australian way - looking after each other and facing problems together."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia, Chris Bowen

"Australia has entered this period of global uncertainty better prepared than before - our fuel reserves are now held onshore, we've invested in our refineries, and we've acted quickly to address localised supply shortages.

"Since the conflict commenced two weeks ago the Albanese Government has taken swift action to release up to 20 per cent of our diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages, temporarily amend national fuel standards to keep more Australian-made fuels onshore, and crack down on petrol companies ripping off Australian consumers.

"Today's announcement of the eminently qualified Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator is the next step in preparing and responding to the supply chain challenges coming from overseas."