Australia’s fuel tsar paid more than $16K per week to help energy supply woes prompted by US-Israel-Iran war

Australia’s fuel tsar gets paid more than $16,000 per week to help Australia respond to energy supply chain issues in the wake of the US-Israel-Iran war.

National fuel coordinator Anthea Harris’ $233,677 salary for just over three months’ work was disclosed during Senate Estimates on Monday.

Anthony Albanese tasked Ms Harris with helping address shortages of petrol, diesel, jet fuel, urea, fertilisers, pipes and other resources impacted by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr Albanese announced Ms Harris’ appointment on March 19 and her contract runs between March 23 to June 30 but can be extended if needed.

As part of her COVID-era type role, Ms Harris can monitor, coordinate, and intervene in distribution of fuel in Australia. She also meets weekly with fuel co-ordinates appointed by State or Territory government.

Ms Harris’ salary comes out of $9.2 million provided to the department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to establish a taskforce to help deal with the crisis.

“The contract allows for roll-ons. That will have to be a decision made close to the time but the contract does allow extensions if we feel that that’s necessary,” First Assistant Secretary of the department Janet Quigley told Estimates.

She said the broader funding supported 29 full-time equivalent workers in the taskforce, as well as a contract for a private-sector consultancy to assist with modelling.

“We have a contract with McKenzie’s, a consultancy contract, to help do fuel supply modelling. They’ve been engaged to support the taskforce.

“The value of the contract is $1,243,825. We’ve had an initial contract with them of $746,625 and that was for an initial sprint of work from (April 20 until May 9).”

It comes as the Prime Minister on Monday declared at a Canberra press conference that “the hoarding of fuel has stopped” in Australia.

“People are taking just what they need. Supply is looking secure into July,” Mr Albanese said.

It comes after the government halved the fuel excise tax as prices skyrocketed, giving motorists a 26 cent fuel relief.

However, the relief is due to expire in June — with no indication yet on whether it will be extended for motorists.

Mr Albanese said despite Australia’s fuel reserve increasing since the conflict began, global supply chains remained volatile.

Mr Bowen said 48 ships were en route to Australia and 3.4 billion litres were under contract to be delivered over the next month, including 1.8 billion litres worth of diesel.

Ms Harris is the former head of both the Australian Energy Regulator and the Energy Security Board, as well as a former Deputy Secretary for Victoria’s energy group.

On top of Mr Harris’ salary, taxpayers are also footing the bill for any accommodation or travel related to Ms Harris’ role.

“In relation to travel there’s been no overseas travel,” Ms Harris told Estimates.

“I went to Sydney for a National Cabinet meeting and I have travelled home to regional Victoria on two occasions, once at Easter and once for a long weekend.

“And once to Melbourne, I didn’t actually go home, but once to Melbourne for a meeting with my fellow co-ordinators.”