Australia could impose Covid-style restrictions to combat the ongoing fuel crisis thanks to the war in Iran.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to host a crunch national Cabinet meeting to consider new emergency measures to conserve petrol.
It is understood measures being considered by the Prime Minister include carpooling, working from home, and public transport discounts.
The world’s energy watchdog, the International Energy Agency, has issued recommendations in response to the oil price shock, with the number one being to “work from home” when possible.
Several countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka have all imposed WFH rules or implemented a a four-day working week.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has ordered 50 per cent of public sector employees to work remotely and for four days.
Australians will wait until Monday for the announcement of which specific measures will be in place, as reported by News.com.au.
While the Australian Government has said measures were not yet required, contingency plans are being formed to dampen demand.
Anthony Albanese is understood to be considering measures including carpooling, working from home, and public transport discounts
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Previously, Mr Albanese had focused on boosting supply, saying that fuel rationing was up to his country’s states to decide.
One, Tasmania, has implemented a fuel cap restriction, which would allow the Government to set a maximum fuel price if an emergency is declared.
State premiers are understood to have pressured the Prime Minister to adopt a national approach.
New South Wales’s Chris Minns has called for an Australia-wide strategy in response to the crisis.
Chris Minns said he would like a national framework in place for fuel restrictions
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He said: “We need a nationally consistent approach if and when the time comes when we need to introduce those demand management measures – a clear signal of what might be to come.”
Mr Minns said petrol stations were being affected by the ongoing crisis, with at least 500 now lacking at least one form of fuel.
He said: “As of the latest count, there are 32 petrol stations in New South Wales without any kind of fuel.
“That’s down from 51 stations yesterday but worryingly, 187 stations are out of diesel.”
At least 500 petrol stations in Australia do not have at least one form of fuel
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The new laws in Tasmania have been opposed by the Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association.
The group’s chief executive Rowan Lee said: “This power is completely unnecessary and unworkable.
“It’s unworkable unless the Government is also willing to cap wholesale fuel prices and all other input and operating costs, such as labour and insurance, to retail fuel businesses.”
Victoria has had similar laws in place, allowing the Government to control and restrict the sale and production of petrol in a national emergency.
The state also has a Fair Fuel Plan system, where retailers set a maximum cap for a 24-hour period.
