QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE | Iran's threat to block oil ships an omen to bolster fuel reserves, Coalition

Threats to oil supplies made by Iran following US military attacks has shone a light on the need for Australia to shore up local options.

Queensland Country Life updated the changing situation and spoke to Shadow energy and emissions reduction minister Dan Tehan, who indicated there were numerous weaknesses for Australian supply chains and security that needed attention.

Grain Producers Australia Chief Executive Colin Bettles said the country's vulnerability to external pressures was a key policy focus in terms of agricultural policy.

"Liquid fuels are an essential input for farmers, especially broadacre grain producers," he said.

"These energy sources are also necessary in supply chains, especially for transporting and manufacturing products, which means Australia's domestic food security is also at risk and extremely vulnerable to fuel shortages.

"Escalating geo-political turbulence is certainly testing Australia's fuel reserves, and these impacts extend to other essential farm input supplies, including fertilisers, causing production costs to increase dramatically, which we've seen occur regularly over recent years."

GPA has also previously called for an amendment to the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act 1984 to include farmers on the list of "essential users" to ensure producers have access to fuel during periods of fuel rationing.

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