Western Australia’s Parliament has been recalled for a special sitting to ratify emergency powers aimed at strengthening the state’s fuel security and ensuring continued transparency across vital supply chains.
The order, activated under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972, formalises decisive action taken earlier this month by the state government to safeguard fuel availability amid ongoing global supply pressures.
The emergency framework has already been put to work by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, who has issued legally binding orders compelling six major fuel suppliers to hand over detailed information about their operations.
Under these orders, which have been in place since 1 April, companies face daily penalties of up to $100,000 for failing to provide the required data.
Parliament’s ratification ensures the powers remain active, providing legal certainty for continued government oversight.
According to the government, data collected through these measures is giving Western Australia an unprecedented understanding of its fuel distribution networks.
Analysts within the Department of Energy are now reviewing submissions from the six suppliers to confirm compliance and identify any weak points in the supply chain.
Officials say the new intelligence is already proving instrumental in directing supplies to priority regions, including remote and regional communities, essential industries, and agricultural areas.
Premier Roger Cook described the activation of these powers as a necessary and proactive response to the evolving energy challenges.
“I will always do what is right for Western Australia,” he said.
“My government acted quickly to address the fuel shock, and our actions are delivering real results for WA communities.
“Our emergency powers are giving us greater visibility of the supply chain, meaning we can get fuel to where it’s needed most.”
The government’s broader fuel security response includes establishing a new strategic diesel reserve of four million litres to support communities and industries most at risk of disruption.
The stockpile will be distributed to key regional depots and available for emergency release to critical sectors such as mining, transport, and agriculture.
Officials said this measure complements ongoing efforts to stabilise supply and reduce the number of station outages, which have declined steadily since late March.
Minister Sanderson emphasised that the emergency powers are already achieving their intended purpose.
“A fortnight ago, I recommended to the Governor make an order activating powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act and today they have been ratified in Parliament, fulfilling our obligations under the law,” she explained.
“These are powers which are working already, with all six companies providing significant information on their supply chains.
“Information is crucial to keeping fuel flowing and WA moving as we navigate this global issue.”
Premier Cook said the government’s decisive action reflects its broader priorities beyond energy management.
“By shoring up fuel security, we can get on with the job of providing great jobs, health, and housing for the people of Western Australia,” he said.
With Parliament’s ratification now complete, the state government plans to maintain active oversight of supply chains to ensure Western Australians continue to have reliable access to fuel, even amid volatile global conditions.
