Australian PM announces fuel supply task force

CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced that the federal government has established a fuel security task force amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking after meeting with state and territory leaders on Thursday morning, Albanese told reporters that the government is doing "all that it can" to secure Australia's fuel supply.

"I want to assure Australians at this time that Australia is well prepared. Our fuel supply is currently secure, however I want us to be over prepared," he said.

"I reiterate today my message to Australians is please do not take more fuel than you need. That is how you can help."

He announced that Anthea Harris, former CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator and of the Energy Security Board, has been appointed as the coordinator of a new national fuel supply task force and that each state and territory will appoint someone in a similar capacity.