Australia: Record oil price sparks call for petrol rationing

AS CRUDE oil sits at record high prices and economists remain concerned about its economic impact, one group has proposed the war-time measure of rationing.

The Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO), a group that lobbies for sustainable transport options, is calling for the return of the petrol allocation system used in Australia during World War II.


Bruce Robinson, ASPO’s national convener, said the idea was becoming “increasingly essential” with petrol prices hovering around $1.50 a litre and rising interest rates already hurting households. The impact on the economy of inaction would be “dire”, he said.

But a leading economist labelled the proposal “ridiculous”. AMP Capital Investors chief economist Shane Oliver said the market should be allowed to determine the price as the supply and demand curves drew closer together.

Mr Robinson has written to the Federal Government calling for an oil vulnerability taskforce that would determine the allocation of petrol rations. ASPO proposes that those with greatest need be given priority.

The Age