State Liberals call for action as fuel price hike looms
The State Liberals are urging the Malinauskas Labor Government to adopt their State Fuel Security and Resilience Framework, as a fuel price hike looms.
From this weekend, fuel prices are expected to rise by at least 16 cents per litre as Australia’s fuel excise discount comes to an end, adding further pressure to families and primary producers already grappling with rising costs.
State Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn said the looming increase highlighted the need for practical state-based measures to strengthen fuel security and support the agricultural sector.
“From this weekend, South Australians will once again be paying more every time they fill up, and for farmers who rely on diesel every single day, those extra costs add up fast,” Mrs Hurn said.
“Those higher costs don’t stop at the farm gate – they flow through the supply chain and ultimately put more pressure on grocery bills for South Australian families.
“While the fuel excise is a Federal decision, that doesn’t mean the State Government should simply sit back and do nothing. It should be looking at sensible ways to ease the pressure on families, farmers and strengthen South Australia’s fuel security.
“That’s exactly why we’ve put forward our State Fuel Security and Resilience Framework, including grants and low-interest loans to help farmers install or expand on-farm diesel storage.
“These are common-sense measures that will strengthen our state’s resilience, better prepare us for future supply disruptions and give farmers greater confidence at a time when cost pressures continue to bite.”
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Nicola Centofanti said the state could not afford a “wait and see” approach.
“The fuel security challenge isn’t disappearing overnight,” Dr Centofanti said.
“Without better planning and visibility, we’ll see more farmers under financial pressure and more regional businesses pushed to the brink.”
Member for Heysen Josh Teague said when fuel prices rise, businesses wear the cost at every step of the supply chain.
“Without targeted support, those costs are passed on to consumers or absorbed by businesses already operating on tight margins,” Mr Teague said.
State Fuel Security and Resilience Framework pillars:
- Governance and transparency: Establish a dedicated SA Fuel Security Coordinator and expand real-time fuel supply monitoring across the state.
- Critical infrastructure protection: Ensure hospitals, SA Water, emergency services, ports and power stations maintain at least 7-14 days of on-site diesel reserves.
- Strategic diesel buffer: Develop a state strategic diesel reserve over time, with an initial portion secured immediately using existing private terminal storage.
- Agricultural resilience: Grants and low-interest loans to help farmers install or expand compliant on-farm diesel storage.
- Commercial storage expansion: Incentives for logistics operators, manufacturers, mining companies and councils to increase fuel storage capacity.
- Efficiency and diversification: Back research into bio-based products using agricultural residues and encouraging future oil development in the Cooper Basin to strengthen domestic supply.
The State Liberals are urging the Malinauskas Labor Government to adopt their State Fuel Security and Resilience Framework, as a fuel price hike looms.
From this weekend, fuel prices are expected to rise by at least 16 cents per litre as Australia’s fuel excise discount comes to an end, adding further pressure to families and primary producers already grappling with rising costs.
State Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn said the looming increase highlighted the need for practical state-based measures to strengthen fuel security and support the agricultural sector.
“From this weekend, South Australians will once again be paying more every time they fill up, and for farmers who rely on diesel every single day, those extra costs add up fast,” Mrs Hurn said.
“Those higher costs don’t stop at the farm gate – they flow through the supply chain and ultimately put more pressure on grocery bills for South Australian families.
“While the fuel excise is a Federal decision, that doesn’t mean the State Government should simply sit back and do nothing. It should be looking at sensible ways to ease the pressure on families, farmers and strengthen South Australia’s fuel security.
“That’s exactly why we’ve put forward our State Fuel Security and Resilience Framework, including grants and low-interest loans to help farmers install or expand on-farm diesel storage.
“These are common-sense measures that will strengthen our state’s resilience, better prepare us for future supply disruptions and give farmers greater confidence at a time when cost pressures continue to bite.”
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Nicola Centofanti said the state could not afford a “wait and see” approach.
“The fuel security challenge isn’t disappearing overnight,” Dr Centofanti said.
“Without better planning and visibility, we’ll see more farmers under financial pressure and more regional businesses pushed to the brink.”
Member for Heysen Josh Teague said when fuel prices rise, businesses wear the cost at every step of the supply chain.
“Without targeted support, those costs are passed on to consumers or absorbed by businesses already operating on tight margins,” Mr Teague said.
State Fuel Security and Resilience Framework pillars:
- Governance and transparency: Establish a dedicated SA Fuel Security Coordinator and expand real-time fuel supply monitoring across the state.
- Critical infrastructure protection: Ensure hospitals, SA Water, emergency services, ports and power stations maintain at least 7-14 days of on-site diesel reserves.
- Strategic diesel buffer: Develop a state strategic diesel reserve over time, with an initial portion secured immediately using existing private terminal storage.
- Agricultural resilience: Grants and low-interest loans to help farmers install or expand compliant on-farm diesel storage.
- Commercial storage expansion: Incentives for logistics operators, manufacturers, mining companies and councils to increase fuel storage capacity.
- Efficiency and diversification: Back research into bio-based products using agricultural residues and encouraging future oil development in the Cooper Basin to strengthen domestic supply.
Without better planning and visibility, we’ll see more farmers under financial pressure and more regional businesses pushed to the brink.
