menu_open Columnists
Tony Wood

Tony Wood

The Australian

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Why Australia has to boost fuel supply – and electrify transport

Why Australia has to boost fuel supply – and electrify transport

Expanding fuel reserves and slashing oil demand makes sense. Reopening refineries and drilling for more doesn’t.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Tony Wood

Fuel now, electricity later: why Australia has to both boost fuel supply – and electrify transport

Fuel now, electricity later: why Australia has to both boost fuel supply – and electrify transport

Expanding fuel reserves and slashing oil demand makes sense. Reopening refineries and drilling for more doesn’t.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Tony Wood

How the Geelong refinery fire affects fuel supplies

Late on Wednesday, Victorian firefighters were called to a large fire at Viva Energy Group’s oil refinery in Corio, a suburb of Geelong. The blaze...

17.04.2026 10

The New Daily

Tony Wood

What does the Geelong refinery fire reveal about Australia’s fuel supplies?

This fire should prompt us - again - to consider the future role of liquid fuels in Australia.

16.04.2026 20

The Conversation

Tony Wood

We must avoid future fuel supply disruptions by planning now

The continuing economic impact of the energy crisis is unclear, but we should develop and implement a strategy to deal with the world as it is likely...

25.03.2026 20

Financial Review

Tony Wood

Nations will release an extra 400 million barrels of oil to the market. All we need to do now is not panic at the pump

Governments in Australia and New Zealand aren’t sitting idle in the face of spiking fuel prices. Here’s what they’re doing – and what might...

12.03.2026 20

The Conversation

Tony Wood

Power road map is not flagging net zero dangers ahead

AEMO should use the Integrated System Plan to provide ministers with a better understanding of the material risks to their preferred pathway.

24.02.2026 10

Financial Review

Tony Wood

Renewables over 50%, wholesale prices down – is the energy transition… succeeding?

It wasn’t so long ago pundits claimed Australia’s grid couldn’t run on higher than 20% renewables. Now it’s 50%.

03.02.2026 20

The Conversation

Tony Wood

Solar, onshore wind and gas backup is (still) the cheapest way to power Australia: new report

If Australia hits 82% renewables by the end of the decade, wholesale power should be a third cheaper.

17.12.2025 30

The Conversation

Tony Wood

Government reveals taxpayer-funded deal to keep Australia’s largest aluminium smelter open. How long we will pay?

The federal government has done a deal - underwritten by the taxpayer - to keep Australia’s largest aluminum smelter open. What’s the exit...

12.12.2025 10

The Conversation

Tony Wood

The Coalition won’t bring down energy prices. Neither will Labor

It is about time for politicians to stop making promises to reduce power prices when they cannot control physical infrastructure or the weather.

14.11.2025 10

Financial Review

Tony Wood

Govt sets new climate course – we must go for it

19.09.2025 10

The New Daily

Tony Wood

A step up in action to hit the 2035 emissions target is urgently needed

This week has been a watershed on Australia’s hard road to net zero. The main game now is implementation, as the spectre of climate change awaits.

18.09.2025 10

Financial Review

Tony Wood

The Albanese government has finally set a 2035 climate course – and it’s a mission Australia must accept

The target seeks to balance positive action with pragmatism. Achieving it will requires a major policy step-up.

18.09.2025 20

The Conversation

Tony Wood

Gas deadlock won’t break without a policy short circuit

17.07.2025 20

The Australian

Tony Wood

2 curly questions Chalmers must answer on the Santos sale

How the Treasurer responds to the proposed takeover will tell us a lot about the Albanese government’s second-term priorities.

24.06.2025 10

Financial Review

Tony Wood

Labor is adrift on gas policy. Here’s why that’s bad

Without a clear strategy, Labor leaves the field open to those who insist we should stop all gas now, and those who argue that gas will be around for...

09.06.2025 20

Financial Review

Tony Wood

The Queensland government is cancelling renewable energy projects. Can the state still reach net zero?

Queensland’s new government has set about scrapping clean energy projects. But it’s shaping up as a go-slow period, not a blanket ban.

03.06.2025 20

The Conversation

Tony Wood

The Coalition prepares to soften Australia’s 2030 climate target, while reaffirming its commitment to the Paris Agreement

The Coalition reveals plans to review Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target if they win government at the next federal election.

10.04.2025 10

The Conversation

Tony Wood

Peter Dutton’s gas plan is a superficial solution to a real problem. Australians deserve better

31.03.2025 10

The Guardian

Tony Wood

Renewables are cheap. So why isn’t your power bill falling?

Solar and wind farms make power very cheaply. But power bills are still climbing because we underestimated other costs, from transmission to storage.

18.03.2025 10

The Conversation

Tony Wood

What the next government must do to get emissions and power prices down

Four major actions will be necessary to get Australia on track to the 2050 target. Three swift actions must be taken to ensure reliable and affordable...

16.03.2025 10

Financial Review

Tony Wood