Share and Follow
Social media buzzed with comparisons to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, as one user quipped, “Petrol is the new toilet paper,” alluding to the panic-buying frenzy that once cleared shelves of essential items.
The spectacle sparked a wave of criticism online. Many users expressed concern, labeling the behavior as “a serious accident waiting to happen” and “unAustralian.”
However, not everyone agreed. Some advised others to “mind your own business,” while others cynically noted, “I bet the price won’t drop as quickly as it went up.”
Reports indicate that similar scenes are unfolding nationwide, with panic buying seemingly taking hold across the country.
Images have surfaced showing Bunnings store shelves, usually brimming with jerry cans, now conspicuously empty.
“The end times are upon us and Australians have responded the only way they know how… by clearing out every single jerrycan from Bunnings,” a user wrote on social media.
Bunnings confirmed it is replenishing low stock but declined to comment any further.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury warned of the dangers of stockpiling fuel at home.
“Apart from not making any economic sense, is also extremely dangerous,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
“Please do not fill jerry cans and put them in your garage, because that is unsafe.”
Locally, it has caused fuel prices to rise to over $2 a litre.
While some people stockpile fuel, others have panic-bought fuel at service stations.
Long queues were seen outside service stations across the country, as some retailers reported that the increased demand has led to low stock.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen last week said Australia only has 32 days’ worth of jet fuel, 34 days of diesel and 36 days of petrol available.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.