Source: Radio New Zealand
New Zealand is currently at phase one and the government has said for now there is sufficient supply and no need for stockpiling. Nick Monro
Regulatory feedback is being called for as the government looks to tackle global fuel uncertainty.
The government laid out its response plan to the rising fuel costs triggered by the conflict in the Middle East following the US-Israel attacks on Iran one month ago.
The National Fuel Plan mimics the Covid response in that it has four phases, each outlining measures that would be taken if the situation gets progressively worse.
New Zealand is currently at phase one and the government has said for now there is sufficient supply and no need for stockpiling.
The Ministry for Regulation is now urging businesses, fuel users, freight operators, and the wider public to report any barriers that could stand in the way of the government’s response.
The ministry’s main job is to ensure quality across regulatory systems and encouraging productivity.
Regulation Minister David Seymour said the ministry was interested in hearing from businesses on the front line including fuel companies, freight operators, contractors, primary producers and retailers.
“We can’t control what happens in the Middle East. We can control how we get fuel flowing through New Zealand pumps. If red tape is getting in the way of that goal, we want to hear it.”
Regulation Minister David Seymour RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Seymour said the government was trying to avoid a “repeat of the Covid-19 lockdowns”.
“We don’t want to miss something which could lead to negative effects down the line.
“That’s why we want to hear from people affected by edicts from Wellington; what regulatory barriers do you see getting in the way of fuel supply?”
Examples of submissions that could be made included barriers affecting fuel transport, storage, distribution, local delivery, freight movements, business operations, or the ability of firms to adapt quickly to changing supply conditions.
“In a disruption every unnecessary delay matters. If there are regulations that make it harder to import, store, distribute, or use fuel efficiently, they need to be identified now. Not when the pressure is at its peak,” Seymour said.
Submissions can be made to the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline.
The price of 91 and diesel fuel in most parts of the country was well past $3 per litre with some stations running dry especially on discount days.
Motor Trade Association spokesperson Simon Bradwell recently said there were concerns over the increasing possibility of people driving off without paying for fuel.
He said businesses were doing what they can to keep prices down as it was also in their best interest.
The government also announced earlier this week almost 150,000 families with children will receive an extra $50 a week to help with the rising cost of fuel.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
