Premier Roger Cook has dealt with more questions about the prospect of West Australia and the nation being elevated to level three of the national fuel security plan.
Premier Roger Cook has dealt with more questions about the prospect of West Australia and the nation being elevated to level three of the national fuel security plan.
At a Business News breakfast event on Thursday, Mr Cook said he had “no confidence” the country could avoid going to level three settings given the mixed messaging around the Strait of Hormuz being opened.
“I think we need to be aware that this situation could get worse before it gets better,” he said.
“Even if the Strait of Hormuz was opened tomorrow, this whole issue and the shocks it has created has a long tail.”
Under the national plan, level three is about governments taking “targeted action” in their communities.
“All government will look for practical measures to help you reduce your use,” the guidelines read.
"We need to play our part to help fuel get to where it’s needed most.”
Mr Cook was asked at a later press conference why he was so quick to say level three looked unavoidable.
“It's a national Cabinet decision to move up to the next level,” the premier said.
“What I'm saying is that we have to be prepared for the worst.
“We have to hope for the best, but we have to be prepared for the worse. If we sit on our hands and just assume that everything's going to get better, we'll won't be ready. We'll be caught flat footed if the situation continues to deteriorate.”
The targeted actions open to the government would also involve “road usage changes to improve efficiency in fuel use”, which might impact the trucking industry.
Level four would see the introduction of fuel rationing.
WA has already enacted fuel security powers, under emergency legislation, to compel fuel suppliers provide stockpile and distribution information.
