Geelong

Prime minister says Corio refinery fire will not push Australia into stage 3 restrictions, despite reduced production of petrol, diesel and aviation fuelFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese says petrol production has fallen 40% at one of Australia’s two remaining oil refineries but the damage caused by the fire at the Geelong facility will not lead to fuel restrictions.The prime minister spoke outside the Viva Energy refinery – which had been supplying about half of Victoria’s fuel before a massive fire burned for 13 hours until noon Thursday – on Friday morning, and said the facility was also producing less diesel and aviation fuel. Continue reading...

Prime minister cuts fuel security visit to Malaysia short. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn extra 250,000 tonnes of agricultural-grade urea for fertiliser will come to Australia from Indonesia, under a new deal supported by the federal government.That’s around 20% of the fertiliser needed for the current planting season for Australian farmers, according to the Albanese government.This deal also shows why it’s critically important that we have strong relationships with our regional partners.While this is a commercial deal, the Australian and Indonesian Governments have been working to support this positive outcome … This will mean Australia can continue to play an important role supporting food security in Indonesia and our region at a time of global uncertainty. Continue reading...

Some petrol stations may see short-term fuel outages as refinery output slows, but national supplies should not be affectedFull report: Geelong oil refinery fireGeelong oil refinery fire: what we know so farFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictorian motorists are being warned to brace for a spike in petrol prices of up to 20c a litre due to a huge blaze at Viva Energy’s oil refinery in Geelong, but oil and supply chain experts say the effects should be short-lived.Viva’s Corio facility is one of two domestic refineries that reduce Australia’s heavy reliance on direct imports of ready-to-use oil products from Asia. Continue reading...