SHADOW Minister for Agriculture and Food and Central Wheatbelt MLA Lachlan Hunter has raised serious concerns about a growing diesel shortage that is already forcing some Western Australian farming operations to stop work.

The Gull York Roadhouse has been out of diesel since Sunday with the town’s only other petrol station Smith’s Shell being forced to put a 50-litre limit on its dwindling remaining supplies with the timing of its next delivery unknown.

A handwritten sign on its bowsers states “There is a 50L limit of fuel per customer – as it is unknown when or if we will get another delivery – thank you for understanding”.

The nearest fuel available is in Northam about 35km away.

Restrictions of 25L of fuel per customer have already been imposed in other rural areas with many service stations already running completely dry.

Mr Hunter said farmers across regional WA were reporting that diesel deliveries had been halted, with some told supply may not resume for up to six weeks.

“I have spoken directly with farmers who have been told there is simply no diesel available and that deliveries could be delayed for weeks,” Mr Hunter said.

“Some operations have already ceased because they cannot get the fuel they need to run their machinery.

“This should alarm every Western Australian.”

Mr Hunter said WA agriculture is highly seasonal and delays of even a few weeks can have devastating consequences for production.

“Western Australia delivered a record grain harvest in 2025, but that success means nothing if farmers cannot access fuel to plant, spray and harvest their crops in 2026,” he said.

“Our farming seasons do not wait for bureaucrats or supply chains to catch up. If farmers miss their window, the production is lost for the year.”

Mr Hunter said diesel was the backbone of the entire agricultural supply chain.

“No diesel means no tractors in paddocks, no trucks moving grain and no food reaching processors and supermarket shelves,” he said.

“This is not just a farming issue. This is a food security issue.”

Mr Hunter also questioned why both the State and Federal Labor governments had failed to prioritise fuel supply for Australia’s food producers.

“Where are the WA and Federal Labor governments in all of this?” he said.

“At a time when global instability is putting pressure on fuel supply, Australian farmers should be at the front of the queue, not left wondering if their tanks will run dry.

“Our farmers feed the nation and drive billions into the economy, yet right now they are being told there is no diesel available for weeks.”

Mr Hunter called on both governments to urgently intervene and ensure fuel supply is prioritised for Western Australian agriculture.

“If this is not resolved quickly, it will not just be farmers who feel the impact. Every Australian will see it in higher food prices and shortages on supermarket shelves,” he said.