Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Dan Cook
There are calls for fuel rationing following the effective closure of Hormuz Strait as a result of the war in the Middle East which has caused the price of oil to fluctuate.
The Wise Response Society has already said it the government should activate the National Fuel Security Plan, which was released last November to ensure New Zealand would have reliable access to fuel in case of global or domestic disruption.
Chairperson Nathan Surendran told Checkpoint on Wednesday the plan and rationing should be activated as a precaution.
“So rather than waiting for us to hit an issue, if we did not receive one of the deliveries that we are supposedly contracted to do, but which force majeure measures implemented by our suppliers may lead to not arriving, then, yeah, it’s something that we really should take seriously.”
Having an adequate fuel supply was critical for New Zealand’s economy, Surendran said.
“The critical question isn’t what’s here now, it’s whether the next round of deliveries will arrive.
“Australia’s wholesalers are rationing deliveries to petrol stations, despite that nation having 36 days of reserves and two domestic refineries, New Zealand has neither, and I’d rather be accused of raising the alarm too early and being wrong than staying quiet and being right.”
The Wise Response Society was calling for the government to tell the public how much physical fuel was in New Zealand, as well as to activate the National Fuel Security Plan, and begin rationing.
“We’ve got the Petroleum Demand Restraint Act, which gives the government the power to implement rationing by order of the Governor-General,” Surendran said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
