More than 500 petrol stations across the country have run out of petrol or diesel due to panic buying by Australians

According to the Federal Government, more than 500 petrol stations across Australia are now without one or more types of fuel, although fuel continues to flow into the country.

In a state-by-state update to Federal Parliament on Tuesday March 24, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said New South Wales had the highest number of affected locations, with at least 289 non-diesel or petrol stations, including 164 specifically diesel.

In Victoria, 162 petrol stations had run out of one or more types of fuel, Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said ABC Radio Melbourne The shortage was due to panic buying rather than a real lack of supply.

In Queensland, 55 locations had no diesel and 35 locations had no regular unleaded petrol.

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In South Australia there are 46 sites without one or more types of fuel, in Western Australia there are six sites without one or more types of fuel and in Tasmania there are six stations without unleaded petrol and one without diesel.

According to the latest update, no shortages were reported in the Australian Capital Territory as of yesterday afternoon.

The total number of more than 500 locations is due to speculation about fuel rationing regulations under guidelines created in 2019 under the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act (1984). But the government has said it is not considering controversial fuel caps that would limit the amount motorists could spend on each visit to the gas station.

Although the number of affected locations is increasing, it only accounts for around eight percent of all gas stations nationwide.