Small petrol stations urge Albanese government to crack down on fuel wholesalers as operators run dry

Independent petrol station operators and mining companies are calling on the Australian federal government to enforce stricter regulations against major fuel wholesalers they say are hoarding supply and blocking deliveries to smaller competitors. Spot-market retailers without long-term supply contracts are running critically low on fuel, particularly in rural and regional areas, as global oil prices surge amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The shortage threatens broader economic disruption beyond the fuel sector, with vegetable growers, miners, and other businesses dependent on reliable petrol access warning of operational risks. Smaller operators lack the leverage to secure consistent fuel deliveries from major wholesalers during tight supply periods, leaving them vulnerable to market manipulation and forcing them to seek government intervention.