Fuel protests spread Down Under

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Grassroots Information Coordination Center (GICC) : One Thread

Fuel protests spread Down Under

Truck drivers angry at soaring diesel prices have blockaded fuel depots in Australia.

Lorries have blocked wharves and all but one of the state's major fuel terminals in Melbourne.

Diesel prices have risen from 68 Australian cents per litre (26p) a year ago to more than one Australian dollar per litre (38p)

"We are not only doing this for ourselves, it is a campaign for everyone who uses petrol," said protest organiser Jerry Brown-Sarre.

"Whether you use it for work, for recreation, for whatever, you are paying too much and this is a chance to let the companies know you are not happy."

Mr Brown-Sarre says the blockades will stay in place until the drivers' demands for cheaper prices or higher payments for carrying loads are met.

Multinational petroleum giant Caltex have called police to clear the entrance to one of its depots and Anglo-Dutch oil company Shell says it also plans action to ensure fuel can still be distributed.

"We are taking advice and will be taking what action we can to maintain operations," Shell spokesman Vincent Cosgrove said.

Victorian motorists' group, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, says the state government should step in to preserve fuel supplies.

"Petrol must flow through, the government should invoke emergency legislation if it can't solve this politically," RACV spokesman David Cumming said.

Last updated: 09:33 Monday 20th November 2000.

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_120933.html?nav_src=newsIndexHeadline

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), November 21, 2000


Moderation questions? read the FAQ