Australia’s Energy Minister Chris Bowen has issued a firm warning to citizens against panic buying fuel and stockpiling jerry cans amid ongoing concerns over the war in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters in Canberra, Bowen stressed that the country’s fuel supply remains secure and that hoarding will only worsen the situation.
“Buy Only What You Need”
Minister Bowen urged Australians to purchase fuel strictly according to their needs.
“As I’ve said, what we want is Australians to buy as much fuel as they need, not more, not less. That is the best answer for everyone,” he said.
He explained that refineries are operating efficiently and fuel continues to arrive across the country as expected. Buying more than necessary, Bowen added, creates artificial shortages and increases stress on supply chains.
Hoarding Jerry Cans “Unhelpful and UnAustralian”
Bowen specifically criticized Australians buying out jerry cans from retailers such as Bunnings and attempting to resell them at higher prices on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
“Separately, people going to Bunnings and buying out all the Bunnings jerry cans – that is unhelpful. That is unAustralian. If they’re trying to maximise profits on Facebook Marketplace… that makes the situation worse,” Bowen said.
The minister stressed that hoarding fuel or storage containers does not protect anyone and undermines the broader community’s access to resources.
Australia Is Prepared to Weather the Situation
Bowen reassured Australians that the country is well positioned to manage any supply disruptions stemming from global tensions.
“Because the fuel continues to arrive in Australia, as expected, because the refineries are working very well … and supplying the regions as quickly as they can … if Australians respond in the spirit of all coming together, and not panic buying, then that maximises our chances of getting through this situation,” he explained.
The message was clear: maintaining calm and purchasing responsibly are key to ensuring everyone has access to fuel during uncertain times.
Panic Buying Causes More Problems
The Energy Minister emphasized that panic buying does not solve supply issues. In fact, it worsens them.
“Panic buying does not help the situation, panic buying very much causes the situation,” Bowen said.
He acknowledged that many Australians are concerned and want to prepare for potential shortages, but urged citizens to act responsibly and trust the supply chain.
Government Advice to Australians
- Purchase fuel based only on actual needs
- Avoid hoarding or buying extra containers unnecessarily
- Trust that refineries and fuel suppliers are meeting demand
- Cooperate as a community to prevent artificial shortages
Bowen’s comments reflect ongoing government efforts to reassure the public while discouraging behaviors that could exacerbate fuel supply pressures.
Moving Forward
As tensions in the Middle East continue to affect global fuel markets, Australian authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
By promoting responsible fuel purchasing and community cooperation, the government hopes to prevent unnecessary shortages and ensure fair access for all Australians.
The Energy Minister’s firm stance sends a clear message: panic buying and profiteering from fuel hoarding are not acceptable and undermine national preparedness.
