EDITORIAL: Nation must be kept fully informed about crisis

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese got off to a slow start after the United States and Israel first bombed Iran.

As it became clear that the war would have an impact on oil supplies — which would flow on to hit virtually every sector of the economy — Mr Albanese mostly left the early running on how our supplies were holding up to Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

The Government initially chose to drip-feed information about petrol supplies via short answers in Federal Parliament’s Question Time.

It felt like a haphazard approach, although steps were taken, including unlocking up to 762 million litres of fuel from Australia’s emergency reserves and relaxing fuel standards to allow higher supply.

And there was help for motorists when the Government halved the fuel excise to 26¢ a litre for three months starting on April 1.

Mr Albanese then put us on the edge of our seats when it was announced he was going to take to the nation’s TV screens to deliver an address to the nation.

He asked people to think of their fellow Australians and conserve fuel but to go about business and life as normal.

It left the nation thinking is that it?

But he has upped his game with trips to some of our Asian neighbours to put the nation’s case for receiving ongoing fuel supplies as he outlined Australia’s role as a reliable provider of their gas needs.

Putting the issue at the top of the agenda by going to Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia to present his case in person was the right thing to do.

While in Asia he announced he had secured an extra 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea.

But on Thursday the nation’s fuel supplies received another setback when an explosion and fire badly damaged Viva Energy’s Corio oil refinery in Victoria.

Mr Albanese cut his trip short to visit the refinery on Friday.

Afterwards the Prime Minister said the refinery was still operating at 80 per cent capacity in its diesel and jet fuel production, and 60 per cent in its petrol production.

Clearly the lower production levels are not ideal.

But given what was first feared, perhaps it was a better-than-expected outcome.

It followed a warning from Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Thursday that the impact on prices and supply chains from the war would linger well beyond a ceasefire or reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

But there was an ember of encouraging news on Friday when Dr Chalmers said he did not expect Australia to be dragged into a recession.

And news that Israel and Lebanon had reached a 10-day cease-fire was also positive.

Of course the longer term pathway out of this crisis will be determined by Iran and US President Donald Trump.

Even so, in the meantime every little bit helps to ease the pain.

So it is absolutely vital that the Government continue to do all it can to lessen the war’s local impact.

It is also crucial that it is completely up-front and transparent about exactly where we stand.

Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by Editor-in-Chief Christopher Dore.