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“It’s crucial to channel fuel from bustling cities to rural areas where it plays a vital role in agricultural production, in getting children to school, and ensuring people can commute to work,” Hosking explained to Today.
“Liquid fuel is indispensable on Australian farms — it’s simply the truth we must confront,” he continued.
“Without an extensive public transport system, we rely on driving long distances, necessitating a steady supply of liquid fuel to keep everything running,” Hosking noted.
He emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to alleviate the fuel crisis affecting farmers and their families.
According to Hosking, the soaring demand for fuel has impacted “every corner of Victoria.”
But the flow of petrol and diesel has been disproportionately stemmed in regional areas.
Robinvale in Victoria’s north-west is believed to be the first town in the state to run out of fuel on the weekend before resupply arrived.
The towns of Wedderburn and Bonnie Doon are also facing the prospect of empty bowsers.
Hosking said fare-free public transport would be a “simple” way to help farmers out of this predicament until supply stabilises.
“We need some support to make sure we’re getting that liquid fuel to those who need it the most,” he added.
“If just one in five Victorian car commuters shifted to public transport, the fuel saved would be enough to plant roughly half of Australia’s wheat, barley, canola and lentil crop.
“There’s some really simple levers here to pull, and we just need to have the will to be able to do it.”
He said even one or two extra days on the train or bus per week instead of a trip in the car would make a meaningful difference.
Hosking warned this was the crisis point for farmers and that supermarket shelves could soon be empty too if nothing changes.
“For now, we’re asking for a helping hand to grow the food and make sure it gets to where it needs to go.”
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