<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prime Minister </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/anthony-albanese" rel="" target="" title="Anthony Albanese"><span>Anthony Albanese</span></a><span> has announced that the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/government" rel="" target="" title="government"><span>government</span></a><span> will be granted new powers to help private importers bring more fuel into the nation as the government attempts to curb spiking </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/petrol-prices" rel="" target="" title="fuel prices"><span>fuel prices</span></a><span> and panic buying.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The new powers are set to come into effect on Monday and will allow the government to use public funds to underwrite the purchase of fuel by the private sector.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prime minister said it will also allow for the purchase of fertiliser and other essentials.</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/queensland-oil-reserve/c3952d81-23f7-4770-8eb2-bcc4d1def204" rel="" target="" title="Queensland could fast-track the opening of an oil lake the size of Singapore to ease pain of fuel crisis"><strong><span>Queensland could fast-track the opening of an oil lake the size of Singapore to ease pain of fuel crisis</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I want us to have the strongest possible plants, so we're ready for what may come. I want to keep our people, our economy and our nation moving," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese said that the government is in talks with local and international fuel suppliers "to help firm up and source new cargoes required to keep </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national" rel="" target="" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span> moving".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Put simply, we will use Export Finance Australia to underwrite the purchase of shiploads of fuel that will add to supply here in Australia.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-announces-new-plan-to-tackle-fuel-crisis-calls-out-fuel-hoarders/e357bea2-b7df-4aa1-b62d-4ad62fb4ecb6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This support from the government will not be business as usual.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It has to be additional supplies that are available on the international market, and it literally will be underwriting the purchase of shiploads of fuel to get here to Australia."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prime minister said the measures are being enacted to keep Australia prepared and ensure fuel "gets to the right places".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said that recent footage circulating on social media showing people filling multiple jerry cans at </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/petrol" rel="" target="" title="petrol"><span>petrol</span></a><span> stations to hoard fuel is "not the Australian way".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"People need to take what they need and no more," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I don't want things to be mandated, common sense should apply as well."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This isn't toilet paper that's been piled up in some garages. It's actually fuel.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"That's not sensible on a range of levels. One, it's not doing the right thing by your fellow Australians. But importantly, as well, it can be dangerous."</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/looksmaxxing-trend-what-it-is-hidden-dangers-for-young-men-everything-to-know-explained/9716facc-5b9e-437d-8be2-ecac03743ee5" target="" title="The rise of Looksmaxxing: 'Creating shame and secrecy among young men'"><strong><span>The rise of Looksmaxxing: 'Creating shame and secrecy among young men'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minister for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/climate-change" rel="" target="" title="Climate Change"><span>Climate Change</span></a><span> and </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/energy" rel="" target="" title="Energy"><span>Energy</span></a><span> Chris Bowen backed the prime minister's sentiments, saying that fuel demand in rural Australia is at "a very busy time".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"[Demand] remains exceedingly high, and this supply is still not enough, but we are increasing supply and working in a very complicated supply chain to get the fuel to where it needs to go."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The fact of the matter is, cargo internationally available, but is getting increasingly expensive and increasingly risky in a volatile environment."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bowen said Australia currently has 1.6 billion litres of petrol, which roughly equates to nine days' worth, which is up "very slightly".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also said the nation has 2.7 billion litres of diesel, which is approximately one month's worth, and is "pretty flat".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What that tells me is that while the fuel is flowing strongly out the door, especially to regional Australia."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bowen said that Australians need to remain prepared as the war in the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/middle-east" rel="" target="" title="Middle East"><span>Middle East</span></a><span> escalates, so too will volatile fuel prices.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><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><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>