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AAP
AAP
Andrew Brown and Robyn Wuth

More fuel on the way to bolster Australian reserves

More tankers are on the way to help grow Australia's reserves of oil, diesel, petrol and jet fuel. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

An extra 500 million litres of fuel will enter the country's reserves in coming weeks, as dozens of cargo ships are en route to Australia.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Sunday confirmed 4.6 billion litres will enter the country in the coming four weeks as part of forward orders, up from 4.1 billion at the same point the week before.

Of those, 2.6 billion litres will be diesel, while there will be 939 million litres of crude oil, 624 million litres of petrol and 489 million litres of jet fuel.

Mr Bowen said 58 cargo ships of fuel were on their way, with some expected to arrive as soon as Sunday.

fuel
Service stations can expect a top up with more fuel on the way. (Jay Kogler/AAP PHOTOS)

"As this international crisis continues, with frankly, continuing uncertainty around the world about when and how it will end, the government will continue to take every step necessary to ensure security of fuel supply to Australia," he told reporters in Sydney.

"Australia's fuel stocks continue to be very solid. We have 44 days worth of petrol, which is eight days more than when Iran was first bombed."

While fuel supplies have increased since the US and Israeli strikes began and led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said more needed to be done to ensure petrol and diesel supply domestically.

"I want to see fuel abundance in this country, and I do think that means we have to identify and produce more oil and gas in this country," he told ABC's Insiders program.

"The best stock of all is is fuel under the ground that we can produce. That's not 30 days. That can be 30 years. That's the best stock of all."

Meanwhile, thousands of motorists will pocket a one-off 20 per cent rebate on car registration in a budget sweetener to ease cost-of-living pressure as fuel prices soar.

The Victorian government is turning to car registration fees to return cash to drivers before voters head to the polls in November.

Drivers will get up to $186 back on their car registration – or $372 for two cars – under the one-off rebate to be unveiled in the upcoming state budget.

cars
Victorian motorists are set to get a rebate on car registration fees in the upcoming state budget. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Victorians pay $930.70 a year for rego, with the rebate applying to light vehicles under 4.5 tonnes, including cars and utes. 

Drivers can claim rebates on up to two vehicles registered in their name, regardless of how many cars are in the household.

The cost-of-living carrot will cost about $750 million in foregone revenue, and follows earlier moves to provide free and half-price public transport.

"I'm determined to use government to help Victorians who are under pressure," Premier Jacinta Allan said. 

"This won't fix everything, but it's immediate action I can take to make a difference."

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