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John Blackburn spent four decades in the Air Force, rising to Deputy Chief.

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.

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.

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.

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Guest: John Blackburn, Chair of the Institute of Economic Research Australia

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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Covid-level crisis? How Australia ignored fuel warnings