ACT Peak Oil

PUBLIC MEETING

John Blackburn AO

Author of “Australia’s Liquid Fuel Security” - 2013 report for NRMA

"Australia’s Fuel Security - She'’ll
be right?"

Hosted by Shane Rattenbury MLA

Greens Member for Molonglo

6-7pm Wednesday 20 May 2015

Refreshments from 5.30pm

Legislative Assembly Building

London Circuit, Canberra

Organised by ACT Peak Oil

Further information: Jenny Goldie 0401 921 453

Media Release follows below

AUSTRALIA’S FUEL SECURITY – SHE’'LL BE RIGHT?

Former Air Vice Marshal, John Blackburn AO will address a public meeting in Canberra this Wednesday on the topic Australia’s Fuel Security - She'’ll be right?

Despite importing 91 per cent of its transport fuel, there is no government policy on keeping a minimum fuel reserve in Australia or any level of refining capacity that must be retained.

Mr Blackburn wrote in his reports* on “Australia’s Fuel Security” for the NRMA, that Australia's dependence on oil for transport has never been greater. That dependence - and our vulnerability to supply disruption - has implications for our economy, the environment and the security of the nation.’‘

Mr Blackburn will make the point again at Wednesday’'s meeting that a resilient transport fuel supply is essential for all Australians.

“Without it our economy, our food supply and our way of life is at risk,” he says.

“The Australian Government needs to address the trend of declining fuel security and to have a plan for how we will become more resilient in the face of possible fuel supply interruptions in the future. 

“As the ninth largest energy producer in the world, Australia has the natural resources to develop a plan but no policy to effect such a Plan.

“We alone, amongst all developed oil importing countries, rely completely on commercial market forces for our transport energy security. This is no less perilous than contracting out our Defence Forces.”

John Blackburn AO will address a public meeting at the Legislative Assembly building, London Circuit, Canberra, on Wednesday, 20 May from 6 to 7pm. Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm. The meeting is organised by ACT Peak Oil and hosted by Greens Member for Molonglo, Shane Rattenbury.

Part 2 of the report can be found at http://www.aie.org.au/AIE/Documents/NRMA_Fuel_Security_Report_Pt2.pdf