Covid-level crisis? How Australia ignored fuel warnings
March 23, 2026
16 min
1858
Full
1,940 of 2,041

Episode 1858 · March 23, 2026
Covid-level crisis? How Australia ignored fuel warnings
0:00 / 16:59
Search the Record
Moment search isn’t open for this episode yet
When it opens, you’ll be able to type any phrase and jump straight to the second it was said.
The Messy Conservatives Episodes Around March 23, 2026
Episode 1,940 of 2,041 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
16:59This episodeCovid-level crisis? How Australia ignored fuel warnings
Summary
<p>John Blackburn spent four decades in the Air Force, rising to Deputy Chief.</p> <p>For more than decade he’s been warning that Australia is too reliant on imported fuel, too light on reserves, and too exposed if a global crisis – just like this one – disrupts supply.</p> <p>Now, as more than hundred servos around the country run dry and a Trump ultimatum looms, threatening to make the fuel crisis worse, Australia is paying the price for our lack of preparedness.</p> <p>Today, Chair of the Institute of Economic Research Australia, John Blackburn on how Australia botched our emergency fuel plan, what we should do next, and why the Iran war is shaping up to be a covid-level crisis.</p> <p> </p> <p>If you enjoy <em>7am</em>, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Socials:</strong><strong> </strong>Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a></p> <p><strong>Guest:</strong> John Blackburn, Chair of the Institute of Economic Research Australia</p> <p><strong>Photo: </strong>AAP Image/Mick Tsikas</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
Episode details and artwork are published by the show’s own feed. Sentinel plays short cited excerpts and links every episode back to its publisher.





























