A ship carrying fuel refined from Russian oil is arriving at Port Botany this Friday, July 4th. It’s time for Australia to act.
While most Australians believe we’ve cut ties with Putin’s war machine, the devastating truth is that Russian oil is still flowing into Australia through a massive legal loophole. Every litre of this fuel we import helps fund the bombs falling on innocent Ukrainian families in their sleep. And these bombs are becoming more frequent every day.
The Shocking Reality
In the first six months of 2024 alone, Australia imported more than 1.4 million tonnes of refined oil products from at least three refineries that use Russian crude. These refineries in India and China are essentially laundering Russian oil, refining it and selling it to us as “clean” fuel.
According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, there remains a loophole that allows sanctioning countries to import products made from Russian crude oil refined in third countries. This isn’t a minor oversight—it’s “a huge glaring loophole in the sanctions itself, because it allows these revenues to flow directly back to Russia.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
The scale of this problem is staggering:
- In 2023, there was a 44% year-on-year increase in sanctioning countries’ imports of oil products, by volume, estimated as being produced from Russian crude
- EUR 8.5 billion of price cap coalition countries’ imports of oil products between December 2022 and December 2023, were made from Russian crude
- The Jamnagar refinery, 26 per cent of its runs are on Russian crude. The New Mangalore refinery, 41 per cent of its runs are on Russian crude
Europe Is Leading—Where Is Australia?
While Australia drags its feet, Europe is taking decisive action. The EU’s proposed 18th sanctions package includes “a ban on the import of refined products based on Russian crude oil” to prevent Russian crude from reaching EU markets “through the back door.”
President Macron stated the package will “impose an embargo, notably on imports of Russian crude oil refined in third countries, which is a strong signal” and represents “unprecedented ambition” in targeting Russian revenue streams.
This Friday: A Test of Our Values
Friday, July 4th, a ship carrying fuel from a refinery that uses Russian oil will dock at Port Botany’s BLB1 terminal before being shifted to Kurnell 1, operated by Ampol. This shipment represents everything wrong with our current approach—we’re allowing Putin to profit from Australian consumers while Ukrainian children hide in bomb shelters.
Government Excuses Don’t Hold Water
The Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet’s response to the Senate Inquiry’s Recommendation 8 claims ships cannot be tracked. This is demonstrably false. Multiple Government agencies are mature users of such systems, and ship information is readily available from public and commercial services. We will be tracking this week’s shipment to prove the point.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently considering issues relating to imported oil and grease products transformed from Russian crude oil—but “considering” isn’t enough when people are dying.
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The Moral Imperative
Every dollar we spend on Russian-derived oil products helps fund:
- Missiles targeting Ukrainian hospitals and schools
- The destruction of entire cities
- War crimes against innocent civilians
- Putin’s broader imperial ambitions
Dr Anton Moiseienko from the Australian National University warns: “If it were possible for companies to buy refined Russian oil simply because it passes through a third-party jurisdiction and is refined there, then that would undermine the robustness of the Australian sanctions regime.”
What You Can Do Right Now
The solution is clear and achievable. “The most effective step would be to ban the importation of oil products produced from Russian crude oil. This would enhance the impact of the sanctions by disincentivizing third countries from importing large amounts of Russian crude and help cut Russian revenues.”
Take Action Today:
- Email Your Local MP and Key Ministers – We’ve prepared a template email below that you can send directly to decision-makers – you can use the link, the text here or write your own.
- Share This Information – Most Australians don’t know about this loophole. Help spread awareness
- Demand Transparency – Ask why our government can track ships for customs and security but claims it can’t track oil origins
✉️ Tell your MP to stop fueling Putin’s war.
Use our pre-written letter to demand action on Russian oil imports disguised via Indian refineries.
📨 Download the letter & instructions here
📮 Post or email it to your MP this week.
🕊️ Every dollar not sent to Putin’s treasury is less attacks on Ukrainian civilians and a step to peace.
Save Ukrainian lives. Take action today.
The Time Is Now
As EU Commission President von der Leyen stated: “this war must end. We need a real ceasefire, and Russia has to come to the negotiating table with a serious proposal.” Until then, we must ensure every available lever is used to pressure Putin’s regime.
Australia claims to stand with Ukraine, but our actions tell a different story. We cannot continue to fund the very war machine we publicly condemn. The Russian oil loophole must be closed immediately.
Share this post, email your representatives, and demand action. Ukrainian lives depend on it.
Another Template Email to Send to Ministers
Subject: URGENT: Close the Russian Oil Loophole – Stop Funding Putin’s War
Dear [Minister’s Name],
I am writing to demand immediate action to close the Russian oil loophole that allows refined petroleum products made from Russian crude to enter Australia.
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air reports that Australia imported over 1.4 million tonnes of such products in the first half of 2024 alone. This directly contradicts our stated position of supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia.
While the EU moves forward with its 18th sanctions package to ban these imports, Australia continues to allow Russian oil to reach our shores “through the back door.” This is morally indefensible and undermines our sanctions regime.
I call on you to:
- Immediately ban imports of oil products refined from Russian crude
- Increase transparency in oil supply chain tracking
- Align Australia’s sanctions with our EU and G7 allies
Every day we delay, we continue funding Putin’s war machine. The time for “consideration” is over—Ukrainians need action now.
I await your urgent response on what concrete steps you will take to close this loophole.
Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Contact Details]
Send to:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: pm@pmc.gov.au
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong: foreign.minister@dfat.gov.au
- Resources Minister Madeleine King: Madeleine.King.MP@aph.gov.au
- Your Local Federal MP: FIND HERE
The AFUO also has a campaign HERE
This article will be updated with links to petition campaigns as they become available.
1 comment
Very good, those of us who can do good to others should do so as compasionate human beings….