Portfolio — 19 March 2026

The Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King, used a single media release on 19 March to address fuel supply disruptions affecting Western Australian mining operations, reassure on domestic gas and fertiliser security, and respond to the New South Wales Government's ban on new greenfield coal mines.

**Fuel supply and the Harris task force**

The Minister confirmed the government is coordinating with state leaders to direct priority fuel to regional projects affected by supply uncertainties in Western Australia [TA-260319-resour-56acb39ecb36]. She defended the appointment of Anthea Harris to lead the fuel supply task force, citing Harris's past leadership of the energy regulator as evidence of her qualifications [TA-260319-resour-56acb39ecb36].

**Gas security and international partnerships**

The Minister assured Australians that domestic gas supplies remain secure, with East Coast prices well below international averages [TA-260319-resour-56acb39ecb36]. She highlighted Australia's role in providing energy security to regional partners including Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

**Fertiliser supply and the Perdaman investment**

The Minister confirmed that fertiliser supplies from CSBP are adequate for the current sowing season [TA-260319-resour-56acb39ecb36]. She pointed to the government's $500 million investment in the Perdaman Urea project as a future step toward national fertiliser independence [TA-260319-resour-56acb39ecb36].

**NSW coal policy**

The Minister acknowledged the New South Wales Government's decision to ban new greenfield coal mines while noting that the state's framework provides certainty for existing mine extensions and workers in the Hunter Valley [TA-260319-resour-56acb39ecb36].

**Synthesis**

The release signals a portfolio approach that pairs short-term supply stabilisation through task force coordination and existing stockpiles with long-term infrastructure investment to insulate the economy from global supply shocks. The fuel, gas, and fertiliser threads converge on a single message: immediate risks are contained, and structural investments are underway to reduce future vulnerability.