News

While the war in Iran has everyone panicked about rising fuel prices, one of the worst hit regions is Australia, which has been suffering a fuel crisis for the last few months, hitting the tackle trade hard.

Soaring diesel and petrol prices, hundreds of service stations running dry, particularly in rural and regional areas, and disrupted supply chains are forcing anglers to cut trips, ration boat fuel and limit towing, affecting tackle deliveries to stores.

This threatens livelihoods, local economies and the freedom to fish coasts, rivers, and estuaries, explained Hon Bob Baldwin, the chair of the Australian Fishing Trade Association, who has urged policymakers to consider extracting more domestic oil.

He said: “Resource security and sovereignty are practical necessities for charter operators, weekend anglers, farmers, truckers and all Australians who depend on affordable, reliable fuel.
“Policymakers must move beyond temporary measures and prioritise faster exploration and responsible development of domestic oil resources, supported by better infrastructure.”

He said that cutting fuel excise or building more refineries offers only short-term relief. The real fix is increasing domestic oil production. Greater extraction of our own petroleum resources will deliver lower long-term prices, stronger supply security, and reduced reliance on volatile global markets.

Current production of petroleum liquids is roughly 270,000 to 300,000 barrels per day, a sharp decline from earlier decades. As a result, Australia imports around 80to 90oper cent of its refined fuels. Domestic light crude is often exported, while remaining refineries process heavier imported oil.

Bob (pictured below) added: “This imbalance leaves the nation exposed. Recent global tensions have triggered widespread pump shortages across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, with emergency reserves being drawn down and prices rising.

“Regional fishers feel it first, as remote stations run dry exactly where boat ramps and fishing grounds matter most.

“We cannot keep exporting our resources while importing finished fuel at premium prices during crises. Australia also holds vast unconventional shale oil potential that could boost self-sufficiency if developed responsibly.”