Fuel shipments to Tasmania guaranteed in May, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he expects fuel shipments to the state in May despite concerns from TasFarmers that diesel supply is not guaranteed past April 20.

TasFarmers Vegetable Council Chair Nathan Richardson said the group was concerned about the ongoing high price of diesel in Tasmania and the uncertainty about future supply.

The Vegetable Council is concerned that diesel supply into Tasmania doesn’t seem to be guaranteed past the 20th of April,” Mr Richardson said.

“While the current price of diesel is having a significant impact on farmers' cash flows and confidence, of more concern is the lack of visibility with future diesel shipments after April.

“The Veg Council speaks for growers across all cropping commodities in Tasmania who are planning for next season’s crops and hold grave concerns about the viability of those crops given the current diesel price and supply issue and the unaffordable cost of key inputs such as urea.

“Farmers just need answers. Do we have diesel coming into Tasmania after April?”

Mr Rockliff said the answer was yes.

“We’ve had no fuel supply shortage, and ships have continued to arrive,” he said.

“We’re expecting shipments in May, and we’ll get further clarity on that, but we expect fuel supply in May.”

TasFarmers President Nathan Cox has written to the Premier seeking clarity on diesel supply.

Mr Rockliff said he had spoken with Mr Cox on Friday “across a range of issues, including fertiliser supply, and will continue to work very closely with them and all industry sectors as we work through what is a very challenging time”.