Australia’s fuel excise cut is likely to come to an end on Sunday, the prime minister has hinted, as the federal Labor government also hints at a possible third refinery for the country – to the horror of some energy and climate experts.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese met with WA Premier Roger Cook to announce a $4 million pre-feasibility study into a new large-scale oil refinery at Karratha in the Pilbara.
It would be built by WA industrial company Perdaman and could create thousands of jobs in a boost to the local economy if it goes ahead.
The facility would be the first new large-scale petrol refinery built in Australia since the 1960s and would join the nation’s two existing ones in Brisbane and Geelong. Ironically, it is in the same region where iron ore giant Fortescue is pushing to eliminate fossil fuels from its Pilbara mines as it aims for “real zero” by 2030.
Resources Minister Madeleine King said the refinery would still be reliant on imported crude oil.
