As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appoints a fuel supply taskforce to address an emerging fuel crisis from the war in Iran, Church leaders are watching out for signs of stress in their local communities. Source: The Catholic Leader.
Townsville Bishop Tim Harris, chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference social justice, mission and service commission, said rising fuel prices and falling fuel supplies were a “new dimension to the cost-of-living crisis cannot be ignored”.
He urged the Government to act quickly to ensure adequate supply to all Australians, especially those living in the regions who felt the impact more acutely.
Mr Albanese last week appointed Anthea Harris, who has held leadership roles in energy companies and Victoria’s state government, as fuel supply taskforce co-ordinator.
He said Australia’s fuel supply was secure but he wanted to be “over-prepared”.
“I reiterate my message to Australians, please do not take more fuel than you need,” Mr Albanese said.
“That is how you can help. It’s the Australian way to think of others, to think of their neighbours, their community and also to think of the national interest.
“Only take what you need.”
Some parts of regional Australia were reporting fuel shortages at service stations primarily due to panic buying.
National Farmers’ Federation said in a statement that the reality of empty pumps and unfilled diesel orders were “adding real stress to farmers working within tight harvest and planting windows”.
Bishop Harris said fuel cost rises was going to impact the cost of basic goods, especially food, at a time when many Australians were already struggling with rising costs.
Research released in the ACBC social justice statement showed many Australians were skipping meals to manage food costs.
“Consideration should be given to supplement the income of those who faced the greatest pressure so that they can live with some dignity,” Bishop Harris said.
“This is a time when the Church at the local level is watching out for signs of stress within the local community and working with other churches, community organisations and politicians to ensure that our neighbours are not facing a dire situation.”
FULL STORY
‘Cannot be ignored’ – Bishop Harris calls on government to act quickly as rising fuel costs worsen cost of living crisis (By Joe Higgins, The Catholic Leader)
