Aussies could face $4400 fine over 'dangerous' jerry can act
Updated . First published at
Australians could be slapped with a $4400 fine if they are caught dangerously transporting jerry cans as surging prices lead some motorists to stockpile fuel.
A Toyota was pictured with about 20 jerry cans attached to the roof in NSW, south of last week, initiating the debate. There is no suggestion the jerry cans on the roof of the car were full of fuel.
"Well, petrol is the new toilet paper," a witness wrote on social media, referring to when people stockpiled toilet paper during the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ MORE: Victoria's daily fuel price caps now in effect to quash price gouging
A Toyota was pictured with about 20 jerry cans attached to the roof in Shellharbour. Facebook
The sight drew criticism, with some users saying it was a "serious accident waiting to happen" and "unAustralian".
Others said "mind your own business" and "l bet the price won't drop as quickly as it went up".
Astor Legal's Avinash Singh said transporting more than 250 litres of fuel in a space connected to the passenger compartment could be illegal.
Transporting more than 500 litres of fuel at one time could also land a driver in trouble.
"The maximum penalties are $4400 for an individual or $22,000 for a corporation," he told nine.com.au.
"The primary danger of hoarding fuel is that petrol stations may run out of fuel. Generally, without hoarding, this is not an issue and petrol stations have more than enough capacity to meet the needs of the community."
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Long queues forming at BP petrol station in Mascot. AFR
Similar scenes are reportedly happening across the country.
Bunnings shelves that are typically stocked with jerry cans have been pictured 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."
READ MORE: Supermarket pain for shoppers as inflation nears record high
Global oil prices surged 30 per cent to $US110 per barrel yesterday after the US-Israeli war in Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage used to transport one-fifth of the world's fuel supply.
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.
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