SYDNEY (AFP): Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Brunei and Malaysia to discuss energy and food security, his office said on Sunday, continuing regional efforts to shore up fuel supplies for a nation reliant on imports.
Albanese will travel to Brunei and Kuala Lumpur from April 14 to 17 to meet with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, his office said in a statement.
Australia is one of the world's top exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), but is largely reliant on Asia for fuel and the fertiliser needed for farmers to produce food crops.
Asian nations have come under pressure from soaring global energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East.
Australia and Singapore agreed to the continued flow of refined fuel and LNG during a visit by Albanese to Australia's top fuel supplier on Friday.
Malaysia is Australia's third-largest source of refined fuel, while Australia supplies 95 percent of Malaysia's imported LNG.
Brunei and Malaysia are also significant suppliers of fertiliser to Australia.
"We are taking every step to reinforce relationships and engage with key partners to keep our fuel supply flowing," Albanese said in a statement.
Australia has 38 days' supply of petrol, 31 days' supply of diesel and 28 days' supply of jet fuel, authorities said Saturday in a weekly update on fuel levels.
Although demand and prices have spiked amid panic buying, the national fuel supply has remained steady since the Middle East war began on February 28.
There are 57 tanker vessels on the way to Australia carrying fuel, the government said as it launched an advertising campaign urging the public to conserve petrol usage.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier on Sunday urged a continuation of the Middle East ceasefire and a return to negotiations after US-Iran talks ended with no deal. -- AFP
