Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen ruled out Russian fuel purchases after Donald Trump announced a diesel arrangement with Vladimir Putin. Bowen said Australia would keep its existing supply partnerships rather than reward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He reported petrol and diesel stocks and contracted shipments for the next four weeks, while Pauline Hanson argued for obtaining resources from any country.
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen said on October 10 that Australia would not buy Russian fuel after US President Donald Trump announced a diesel arrangement with Vladimir Putin. Bowen said existing trading partnerships would continue. He opposed rewarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said Australia neither needed nor wanted Russian fuel.[1], [2]
Bowen put Australia’s stocks at approximately 43 days of petrol and 31 days of diesel. He said fifty-one ships were contracted to carry a combined 3.2 billion litres of fuel over the next four weeks. Those shipments remain scheduled deliveries. Domestic refineries were operating at full capacity, and supply partners included countries in south-east Asia, India and Saudi Arabia.[1]
The minister had met his Saudi counterpart during climate discussions in Fiji the previous day. He stressed reciprocal supply obligations under Australia’s existing agreements.[1]
At a conservative political conference in Brisbane, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson argued that Australia should obtain resources from any country and strengthen domestic fuel production. One Nation is an Australian political party. Hanson did not answer a subsequent question about whether her position included Russia. The government’s announcement keeps existing partners at the centre of its purchasing policy.[1]
