As fuel prices continue to escalate because of the war in the Middle East, there’s been talk of fuel rationing.
The problem Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen told parliament is that people are panic buying and urged people to buy only what they normally need, not to hoard.
Industry and motoring groups, including the NRMA and regional service‑station operators, have also blamed panic buying for empty bowsers and localised shortages, describing it as “very much” the cause of the current crunch.
The NRMA’s Peter Khoury explained the fuel rationing is historically difficult to police.
Like most restrictions, some smart cookies always manage to find a way around them — fuel restrictions are no different.
Nationwide petrol rationing was first introduced during the Second World War, in response to supply risks for an import‑dependent Australia.
Rationing tightened through 1941–42, with civilians issued coupons limiting how much fuel they could buy and significant cuts to private motoring allowances.
Petrol rationing continued after the war and was only abolished on 8 February 1950, when Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced its end as a key post‑war policy change.
During the 1979 oil shock, severe petrol shortages in Australia led governments to introduce fuel rationing measures, including systems where motorists could only buy fuel on certain days based on odd or even number plates.
These measures were a response to global supply disruptions and panic buying rather than a long‑term, wartime-style coupon system.
However, the Government says there is no shortage of fuel, it’s panic buying that is causing the problem.
To give this some perspective, the Bunnings hardware chain has reportedly run out of Jerry cans, which is a good indicator.
And what about car free days as a means of reducing the demand for fuel?
Car-free days started back in the 1950s because of shortage of fuel.
These days they’re still held around the world, but for the opposite reason — to reduce pollution.
It was a good idea but it flopped because it’s too hard to police and because too many people cheat.
Back in 1956 that the first car-free days started in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Every Sunday between November 25 and January 20, 1957 cars were banned from the roads of these countries in a response to the Suez crisis which blocked shipment of oil.
The Suez Canal which links the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean via the Red Sea was closed from October, 1956 until March, 1957 after Israel invaded Egypt.
From 1973 to 1974, again due to an oil crisis, Denmark had car-free Sundays from November 25, 1973 to February 10, 1974.
Then, in 1981, East Germany held the first German car-free day and so on and so on.
These days World Car Free Day is celebrated on September 22, a time when motorists are encouraged to give up their cars.
But these days the focus is more on climate change.
Currently Bogotá in Colombia holds the world’s largest car-free weekday event which covers the entire city.
The first car-free day was held in February, 2000 and has been institutionalised through a public referendum.
While car-free events have attracted media attention, they are notoriously difficult to organise, requiring broad public support and commitment to bring about change.
Closer to home, Car-less days were introduced in New Zealand on July 30, 1979.
The legislation was one of several unsuccessful attempts to help kick start the Kiwi economy after the oil crises of the late 1970s.
Owners of privately owned, petrol-powered motor vehicles under 2000kg with the exception of motorcycles, were required to refrain from using their vehicles one day of the week — that day elected by the owner.
Thursday was the day chosen most frequently.
Each car displayed a coloured sticker on its windscreen which noted the day on which it could not be used.
Hefty fines awaited those who did not comply.
Other restrictions were also brought in, including reducing the open-road speed limit from 100 to 80km/h as well as restricting the hours that petrol could be sold at service stations.
Legend has it the first person to be fined was Gordon Marks of Christchurch, who forgot after a big night out that the “car-less day” had started at 2am.
However, he was fined $50 rather than the $400 maximum.
In hindsight, journalist Richard Griffin wrote: “It was a bit like drunk driving — if you could get away with it you did. There was no stigma attached . . .”
One of the major drawbacks of the scheme was ready availability of exemptions.
In fact, a black market for exemption stickers quickly developed, rendering the scheme unworkable.
Two car households could simply choose different days for each car and continue to drive on all seven days just like before.
Not surprisingly the car-less days scheme was highly unpopular and largely ineffective, and lasted less than a year.
However, if the war between the United States, Israel and Iran continues, it will put further pressure on oil supplies and experts predict fuel rationing is likely — like it or not.
In the latest developments, six fuel shipments bound for Australia have been cancelled or deferred.
However, Mr Bowen said 74 others are still expected and although there may be “bumps” due to the Iran war — the supply of oil remains secure.
He added that Australia was “a long way” from fuel rationing.
On a final note, people storing fuel at home should be aware that in the event of a fire, any insurance claim lodged is likely to be declined if the amount is more than five litres.
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