Email By Malcolm Sutton Updated February 24, 2016 11:01:45 Photo: Stakeholders say Australia’s lack of fuel reserves leave it vulnerable if refined fuel imports are disrupted. (Artwork: Sarah Boese) Related Story: New subs at centre of defence spending plans Map: Australia With the Government expected to release its latest Defence White Paper on Thursday, an adviser to the country’s largest motorist association hopes tensions in the South China Sea have forced a re-think of where Australia gets its fuel. Key pointsAustralia heading towards 100 per cent fuel import dependencyEssential services to stop ‘within a week’ of disrupted supplySouth China Sea tensions ‘threaten’ refined fuel imports Retired Air Vice Marshall John Blackburn said Australia’s food, water and medicine distribution was entirely reliant on transport fuel and the supply operated on a “just in time” philosophy for the sake of logistical efficiency.Mr Blackburn, who is commissioned by the National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA) to provide consultancy and strategic advice on Australia’s fuel security, said this unerring drive for market efficiency had led to four of the country’s seven oil refineries closing down in three years.”We’re heading towards 100 per cent import dependency,” Ret. Air Vice Marshall Blackburn said.”But when the British… Read full this story
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