The Australian government has pledged A$4m for a feasibility study into a
refinery in Western Australia, a project that could become the country's third
refinery. Six of eight Australian refineries have closed over the past 20 years;
the two remaining facilities operate with government support. If, the
plant would be the first large refinery since the 1960s, but Australia would
likely still need to import crude given largely depleted domestic fields. Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese said the review is intended to boost preparedness amid
the ongoing Middle East conflict.
