Energy Minister Updates on Fuel Supply Amid International Challenges
Energy minister Chris Bowen described the current international situation as challenging. While fuel import ships continue to arrive, some scheduled shipments have been cancelled.
"We get, on average, around 81 boats a month delivering fuel to Australia. We’re aware of six boats that have been canceled out of that 81, on average.
Some of those have already been replaced by the importers and refiners with other sources.
Bowen provided an update on the fuel crisis during an appearance on the ABC Insiders program, noting that petrol supply had increased to 38 days' worth, with 30 days' supply of diesel and jet fuel available.
"That indicates that while we’ve released more from the strategic reserve, the ships continue to arrive in good numbers, and both [of] our refineries are working absolute full pelt, and they’re both entirely 100% dedicated to Australian suppliers, not exports.
SA Premier Calls for Federal Government to Ensure Inclusive Economic Prosperity
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas told Insiders that the federal government must establish economic policies that prevent people from being left behind as the economy grows.
"I think the prime minister, and the entirety of the federal Labor team, are very conscious of the fact that you’re going to make sure that, first and foremost, the economic settings are right – to ensure that a growing economy doesn’t leave people behind and actually delivers a dividend for more people to have a degree of prosperity in their lives.
And that’s, of course, a very difficult thing to achieve, particularly in a global climate like the one that we have now
Malinauskas Highlights Housing Policy to Counter Rise of Protest Parties
Following his re-election, South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas emphasized the need for mainstream parties to present clear policy agendas in response to the rise of parties such as One Nation.
"If I was going to pick one area of policy that requires ongoing, sustained effort around the country, it is undoubtedly housing. I think that social compact that we have in Australia, where one family to the next can pass on to the idea of home ownership as an aspiration – I think that’s at risk.
For me, it’s all in on housing.
Good Morning
Welcome to another Sunday live blog. We will continue to provide updates on Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which crossed the Northern Territory coast early this morning as a severe category three system. The cyclone is expected to move westward, bringing rain and dangerous storm surges across the Top End.
We will also cover the outcomes of yesterday’s South Australian state election and monitor the unfolding situation in Iran.
Energy minister Chris Bowen is scheduled for television interviews this morning to provide the latest information on the fuel crisis, which the International Energy Agency has described as the "largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market."
I’m Petra Stock, and I will be guiding you through the blog today.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle Makes Landfall in Top End as Category 3 System
Tropical Cyclone Narelle has made landfall on the Northern Territory coast, bringing destructive winds reaching up to 165 km/h and intense rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings about the potential for dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.
Narelle crossed the coast at approximately 4 a.m. local time as a severe category 3 cyclone and has since weakened to category 2.
A warning remains in effect for communities between Milingimbi and Nathan River, extending westward across the Top End, including Katherine, Bachelor, the Adelaide River, and the Daly River.
"Within this severe weather warning zone, we will see 24-hour rainfall totals of between 180 [and] 230 millimetres, and some isolated locations could see more than 300mm, particularly to the north of Katherine, and this could produce dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding," said BoM senior meteorologist Jonathan How.
Although Narelle is forecast to weaken as it moves westward on Sunday, it is expected to continue producing severe weather across parts of the territory already affected by recent rains and flooding.
Major flood warnings have been issued for the Katherine, Daly, Waterhouse, and Georgina rivers, as well as Eyre Creek.
