<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia has signed a deal with Asian neighbour Brunei that will get more fertiliser to farmers at a time where they continue to be smashed by the fuel crisis.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, making his second stop in a tour of Asia, announced Australia had signed a Joint Statement on Energy and Food Security, which will help increase the supply of fertiliser from Brunei into Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prime minister said Australia gets about 11 per cent of its fertiliser and 9 per cent of its diesel from the tiny south-east Asian nation, and he claimed it was a beneficial deal for all Australians.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/prince-harry-hones-his-afl-skills-on-second-day-of-australian-tour/ebbf9158-2d45-4520-ac7d-44fdb39f8510" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Meghan makes surprise appearance on reality show during Australian tour</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Not only did we speak about the supplies that were coming, we spoke about additional supplies as well," Albanese said, having had a meeting with Brunei's Sultan and Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We strengthen our fuel security and we strengthen our economy."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese cut a positive figure, but Australia is still being hit hard by crosswinds caused by the Middle East conflict, with the fuel crisis continuing and fears growing of a recession.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-crisis-australia-anthony-albanese-signs-fertiliser-deal-brunei/9482506f-3d2c-41b9-9f28-aa28d294cc91" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The International Monetary Fund warned overspending and inflation partly caused by rising oil prices could cause a recession in Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>FUEL CRISIS:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/virgin-australia-flags-reduced-capacity-as-fuel-cost-soars/ca1fec74-1b1f-4fb8-8949-55e5b359c8a4" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Virgin to cut flights, raise costs after $40 million fuel hit</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treasurer Jim Chalmers admitted it was a difficult economic climate, but insisted it was caused mostly by matters outside of Australia's control.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our economy is under very substantial pressure because of events on the other side of the world Australians didn't choose, but they're paying a hefty price for that," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The federal government has moved to ease the fuel crisis, including two independent local suppliers, IOR and Park Fuels, which allows the government to underwrite some additional costs, meaning it will be cheaper for them to buy fuel.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/yelarbon-man-charged-with-stealing-1000-litre-diesel/95b253b1-63b2-4a57-a2fe-c7c7d08b812f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Fuel thief on the run after stealing nearly $3000 worth of diesel</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Both suppliers are key players in regional Australia, where farmers are feeling the pinch.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"To just get one two-litre bottle of milk to the shelf, it's costing me $1.90 just in freight, it's madness," a dairy farmer told </span><em><span>Today</span></em><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the government was doing all it could to alleviate impacts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We'll continue to work and leave nothing on the field to make sure Australians and Australia are in the best place to get that fuel," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a 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