{"id":429647,"date":"2026-03-05T10:15:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T09:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=429647"},"modified":"2026-03-05T10:15:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T09:15:41","slug":"aussie-climate-ministers-let-them-eat-cake-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=429647","title":{"rendered":"Aussie Climate Minister\u2019s \u201cLet them eat cake\u201d Moment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essay by<\/strong> Eric Worrall<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bowen suggested Aussies should replace fossil fuel use with electricity, if they are worried about the impact of the Iran conflict on gasoline prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Panic buying risks petrol supply crunch, Bowen warns<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phillip Coorey<\/a><\/strong> and Michael Read<\/a><\/strong>
Mar 3, 2026 \u2013 7.19pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has urged drivers not to panic-buy fuel, despite Australia holding barely half the oil reserve it is obliged to have in case of a global emergency.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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As long queues formed at petrol stations across the country, Bowen insisted Australia had ample supplies to handle the fallout from the Iran conflict, with a little over a month\u2019s worth of petrol, diesel and jet fuel, based on normal consumption patterns, in addition to what is in service stations and vehicle fuel tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need to rush to the service station and fill up,\u201d Bowen said. \u201cThere are real challenges, but there is no need for panic buying; that will just make the situation worse.\u201d

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were told in Parliament this week that we have 36 days of oil stores in Australia, which is not very long\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne way to improve our oil security is to use less oil. The electrification of the economy and the replacement, wherever you can, of liquid fossil fuels, actually enhances our security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026Read more: https:\/\/www.afr.com\/politics\/federal\/panic-buying-risks-petrol-supply-crunch-bowen-warns-20260303-p5o6ye<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Electrification is not a viable solution for most Australian industry, nor for anyone who lives in the countryside. Electrification might work for inner city commuters who ride their e-scooter to work, at least in good weather, but for Australia\u2019s long distances and harsh climate, or delivery people who need more than a few hours of capacity, relying on electricity is a bust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 5 times in the last decade I\u2019ve had to use a small generator to keep the freezer running, because of electricity outages caused by bad weather, while being thankful my cookers run on gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, electric vehicles are still way more expensive than gasoline vehicles, especially for people who can\u2019t afford a new vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The multi-decade regulatory neglect of Australia\u2019s refinery capacity and domestic energy production is a disgrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aussie Government ABC Struggles to Explain High Energy Prices<\/a><\/blockquote>