'I don't know what you're saying': Deputy PM clashes with Karl as fuel crisis drags on

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has clashed with Today host Karl Stefanovic as frustrations over the government's response to the ongoing fuel crisis come to a head.

Marles, appearing on Stefanovic's show this morning, was defending the government's actions as Australians increasingly struggle to afford fuel.

"We are releasing stockpiles and getting fuel to where it is needed," Marles said.

"We are not suggesting that there is not a challenge here Karl, we do understand that.

"What we are going to do is deal with this in a calm and prudent manner."

Stefanovic, raising the concerns of fisherman, farmers and builders, accused the government's actions as being "amateur hour".

He posed the plight of independent petrol stations, who had run out of fuel two weeks ago, to which Marles said that "nine out of 10 stations have fuel".

"I don't know what you're saying," Stefanovic said. "[The fuel] is just not getting there."

Watch the full heated exchange in the video above