The Hon. Jim Chalmers, Treasurer, Media Release, 21 March 2026

“This is part of the government’s decisive action to make more fuel available to industry and households and keep fuel flowing to where it’s most needed, including the bush.

It’s really important that the big players in the fuel markets don’t treat this as a chance to disadvantage the independents who play a vital role including in regional Australia.

The government is working with industry and regulators to ensure Australians get a fair go at the pump and in the supply chain and anyone breaking the rules must have the book thrown at them.”

Background

The ACCC has granted an urgent interim authorisation to the Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP), its members, and other relevant industry participants to coordinate in managing impacts to Australia’s fuel supply chain stemming from the conflict in the Middle East.

The interim authorisation means the companies can discuss, exchange information about, and coordinate on the supply of fuel in locations across Australia to alleviate shortages without risking a breach of competition laws.

Authorisation has not been sought, or been granted, for fuel suppliers to share information about or reach agreement on price.

“We have urgently assessed and granted this interim authorisation, received late Wednesday, because we recognise the impact of the current situation on consumers, businesses, and farmers,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“We recognise how critical it is that industry is able to quickly and efficiently coordinate and respond to the supply chain disruptions we are experiencing.”

“However, allowing the major fuel companies to coordinate raises real risk of harm to competition. We are granting the urgent interim authorisation with conditions to mitigate this risk,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

It is a condition of the authorisation that each applicant must take actions consistent with direction or advice of the Commonwealth, states and territories in relation to prioritising and facilitating the supply of Fuel Products to independent distributors and wholesalers.

In addition, the ACCC has imposed conditions to the authorisation that seek to maintain independent fuel distribution.

“We note that independent suppliers are part of their local, regional communities and have established relationships in their areas. They are a crucial part of supply chains in this market and need to be part of the solution to the fuel supply issues, including by receiving adequate allocations from the major suppliers,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

The ACCC will shortly commence public consultation on the application for a final authorisation.

More information, including a copy of the application for authorisation, and the ACCC’s interim authorisation decision, will be available on the ACCC’s public register.