Australia Steps Up Fuel Crisis Response as Supplies Tighten

A cut in production at one of Australia’s two refineries has dealt a fresh blow to government efforts to contain a fuel crisis triggered by the Iranian war, just as previous measures were beginning to ease shortages and bring down gasoline prices.

Canberra has sent delegations to key trading hubs, underwritten oil shipments, relaxed diesel standards, cut fuel taxes and tapped reserves in response to shortages and price spikes. It is also rolling out an advertising campaign to encourage Australians to reduce car use.

Drivers had already started to adjust their behavior, including by combining trips and using public ...