Anthony Albanese at the Ampol refinery in Brisbane. Photo: Anthony Albanese Twitter

THE Federal Government says it will direct fuel to regional areas in an announcing yesterday that it has agreed to terms with Ampol and Viva Energy to source extra supply.

Prior to his trip to Singapore to discuss ongoing fuel supply in the current fuel crisis, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and energy minister Chris Bowen visited Ampol’s Lytton refinery in Brisbane.

They said the Government-owned Export Finance Australia had agreed to terms with the two companies to underwrite fuel purchases – essentially insuring the shipments.

“As part of this agreement, the Government can direct where that supply goes,” Prime Minister Albanese said.

“That particularly going to regional Australia and areas that are under pressure in terms of supply.”

While Australia has continued to get fuel supply over the past month, the issue been that the supply chain for regional distributors has largely broken down. Most regional suppliers purchase fuel on the spot market, which has dried up.

Pressure has been mounting on the Government to open the books of the major fuel suppliers, so they can direct the companies to send fuel where it is needed.

We’re helping secure shiploads of fuel for Australians.

Last week, we passed laws helping fuel companies get more supply into Australia.

Today, Ampol here in QLD, and Viva Energy have just signed new agreements to bring more fuel shipments here.

We’re helping get fuel to… pic.twitter.com/nB66VPMURd

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 9, 2026

Speaking on yesterday’s The Week in Beef podcast, Nationals senator Susan McDonald said the Government should have taken this measure four weeks ago – emphasising that the temporary ceasefire in the Middle Eastern does mean the supply constraints are over.

The Prime Minister in his press conference agreed that the fuel crisis has a long-road ahead.

“You can’t have the disruption that has occurred, not just in terms of ships getting out of the Gulf but also ships entering the Gulf to be filled from storage.

“There’s been damage to capacity in the Gulf when it comes to various fuels as well, which will make a substantial difference over a period of time.”

Still questions to be answered

Asked whether yesterday’s move from the Government will alleviate any of the concerns she has been raising, Senator McDonald said a lot of questions needed answering.

“Whilst the underwriting of fuel purchases is welcome during this fuel and fertiliser crisis, we are yet to hear any detail how the government intends to ensure there is distribution through the independent network to regional and rural Australia,” she said.

“What mechanisms are in place to do this? How do regions qualify? There is no clarity on how the Prime Minister will ensure this happen.

“The Prime Minister’s actions, and the way the Energy Minister keeps saying there’s more fuel than ever, demonstrate a complete lack of understanding of the distribution network, and nothing they have said so far will give regional centres confidence they know what they’re doing.”