Defence held talks with major resources companies late last year about securing more jet fuel and diesel amid concerns a global shock could threaten supplies, underlining the risk a prolonged Middle East conflict poses to Australia’s reserves.
As panic buying spread across Australia on Monday and oil prices surged on fears the Middle East conflict could disrupt global energy supplies, The Australian Financial Review can reveal Defence held talks with global commodities trader Glencore in late 2025 about how the company could help the department shore up its supplies of diesel and aviation fuel.