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In Brief
- Several countries have implemented new measures to address fuel supply concerns.
- Industry Minister Tim Ayres said working from home is a “viable option for many”.
As fuel supply concerns ripple across the globe, the federal government of Australia remains cautious, opting not to enforce work-from-home mandates akin to those seen in several Asian countries. According to a federal minister, the decision to work remotely should ultimately rest with individual workers, reflecting a more decentralized approach compared to their neighbors.
Amid these ongoing discussions, the International Energy Agency (IEA) recently advised Australians to embrace remote working where feasible and to adopt slower driving speeds. These measures are aimed at curbing oil demand, a precautionary response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
In contrast, some Asian nations, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, have proactively implemented measures like a four-day workweek in their efforts to conserve fuel reserves. This strategic move highlights a distinct difference in regional responses to the shared challenge of maintaining energy security.
Thailand has told public servants to work from home and use stairs to limit energy use. Pakistan’s government said 50 per cent of office staff will work from home, except in essential services, while government offices will operate four days a week.
Asked about the prospect of urging more Australians to work from home, Industry Minister Tim Ayres said people would make their own decisions.
“Work from home is a viable option for many, many people, and they’ll make that call,” he told ABC News on Monday.
“We’re not going further than that. But we want a flexible industrial relations system, where Australians can take advantage of these rights and continue to contribute in a productive way.”
The federal Opposition, which campaigned to reduce work from home for public servants at the last election, wasn’t keen on a fresh push.
“I would not support that in any way, and I don’t think businesses would do so either,” deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume said, arguing that a mandate would be akin to “COVID-style restrictions”.
“If people can work from home and they want to and it works for their employers, fine, I think that’s terrific.
“But it doesn’t help small businesses. It certainly doesn’t help the truckers and the fishers and the farmers and the manufacturers and the miners that are relying on fuel supply.”
She said the way to address fuel supply issues was to address distribution.
It’s unclear how long the war in the Middle East will continue, with mixed signals from US President Donald Trump on the expected length of ‘Operation Epic Fury’ — the US operation against Iran that started almost a month ago.
Australian economists have said that a three-month closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz could mean fuel prices could hit almost $3 a litre.
On Sunday, Trump gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the vital waterway, warning the US would hit the country’s electricity grid otherwise.
On Monday, Iran said it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if the US proceeded with its plan.
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