Australia's energy minister is declaring victory as fewer service stations run dry across the country. More than 50 ships are en route to replenish fuel supplies that have left motorists queuing and stations shuttered in recent days.
But here's what the government isn't advertising. As of Saturday morning, Australia had just 39 days' worth of petrol, 29 days' worth of diesel, and 30 days' worth of jet fuel, according to The Guardian.
Mate, there's a whole continent down here, and it can barely keep the lights on for six weeks.
The shortage has exposed a strategic weakness that defense analysts have been warning about for years. While Canberra talks tough about regional security and commits billions to AUKUS submarines, the country remains dangerously dependent on fuel imports that arrive by sea—the same sea lanes that could be disrupted in any Taiwan contingency.
Australia imports roughly 90% of its refined fuel, mostly from Singapore and South Korea. The country's strategic petroleum reserve has improved since the dismal levels of a few years ago, but 39 days is still far short of the International Energy Agency's recommended 90-day supply.
The current shortage stems from a combination of factors. Strong demand, refinery maintenance in Asia, and shipping delays have created a perfect storm. The energy minister insists supplies "remain strong," which is technically true if you define "strong" as "enough to last just over a month."
For a country that positions itself as a middle power in the Indo-Pacific, this is embarrassing. Japan maintains a 200-day reserve. Even , which imports all its refined fuel, keeps better strategic stocks relative to consumption.
