Major Pilbara Oil Refinery Project Being Considered with $4m Govt Study
The $4 million study is part of a $15 billion fuel-security package as Australia weighs its first new refinery in decades.
- On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Western Australia Premier Roger Cook announced a $4 million feasibility study for a new oil refinery in Karratha, proposed by Perth-headquartered Perdaman to bolster national fuel security.
- Australia currently relies on imports for about 80% of its fuel, with only two domestic refineries remaining in Brisbane and Geelong; ongoing conflict in the Middle East has tightened global supplies, increasing urgency for energy resilience.
- This study is the first agreement signed under the Albanese Government's $10 million fund; Defence Consultant John Blackburn warned the facility would take "seven to ten years to get up and running."
- Energy Minister Chris Bowen stated that investing in onshore refining is "sensible and prudent," aiming to secure essential diesel supplies for regional communities in Western Australia that drive the state's economy.
- Nationals Leader Matt Canavan argued the refinery remains pointless unless the government scraps net zero policies, such as the Safeguard Mechanism, telling News24 that removing carbon taxes is essential for viability.
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38 Articles
Another refinery, another dumb idea dressed up as sovereignty
Be sceptical about reports the federal and WA governments want to back a new refinery in the west. There are a lot of hurdles to jump — and a lot of questions that should be asked, but probably won't be. The post Another refinery, another dumb idea dressed up as sovereignty appeared first on Crikey.
Albanese’s WA oil refinery plan fuels a raft of questions
A potential oil refinery in WA is being hailed a game changer for Australia’s self-reliance, but critics claim Anthony Albanese’s announcement falls short on detail and will likely take a decade to build.
Geopolitical tensions lead the Government to push forward a project to refine oil.
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