Australia's state and territory leaders will meet today for emergency fuel crisis talks to tackle the country's dwindling oil supply, after the federal government ruled out enforcing COVID-style rules.

The premiers and chief ministers are set to convene this afternoon before tomorrow's national cabinet meeting to coordinate a universal response to the petrol and diesel shortage gripping Australians.

NSW Premier Chris Minns is spearheading today's meeting ahead of a second urgent national cabinet meeting tomorrow in Canberra.

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It is understood leaders are desperate to avoid a repeat of the COVID-19 pandemic, when states and territories took individual approaches to the unfolding disaster.

Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator Anthea Harris has been appointed to coordinate a state and territory-based response to the nationwide fuel supply.

Tomorrow's national cabinet meeting will aim to coordinate a national response to the escalating oil shortage, with leaders expected to focus on supply measures to keep Australians on the road.

PM Anthony Albanese, however, has denied there will be any COVID-style mandates on the table after urging Australians to avoid panic-buying fuel.

"I don't want things to be mandated, common sense should apply as well," Albanese said yesterday.

"This isn't toilet paper that's been piled up in some garages. It's actually fuel.

"That's not sensible on a range of levels. One, it's not doing the right thing by your fellow Australians. But importantly, as well, it can be dangerous."

The federal government will begin helping private importers bring more fuel into Australia as part of the national plan to curb the national shortage.

The new powers are set to come into effect tomrrow which will allow the government to use public funds to underwrite the purchase of fuel by the private sector.

Albanese said that the government is also in talks with local and international fuel suppliers "to help firm up and source new cargoes required to keep Australia moving".

Hundreds of petrol stations have run out of at least one type of fuel.

The price of unleaded is now tipping $2.60 in some areas, while diesel is now over $3 per litre acros the country.

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A suburban manhunt is under way for an unknown man accused of ramming a police car, before fleeing the scene in Brisbane.

Police warned residents to be on the lookout for a shirtless man after a white Kia Picanto, believed to be bearing stolen plates, allegedly struck the back of a police car on Youngs Crossing Road in Joyner, in Brisbane's north, about 3pm AEST.

It is alleged the male driver fled the scene on foot after the crash.

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He is described as wearing white shorts and no shirt.

The incident triggered a police manhunt across Joyner for the offender.

The man allegedly took officers on a chase through school grounds and backyards, before police lost sight of him.

Police, along with the dog squad and PolAir crews, knocked on doors as officers attempted to locate the man.

Residents in the area have been warned not to approach the man as he may be violent.

Anyone with information, or CCTV or dashcam footage, is urged to contact police.

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To her family, Helen Lister was someone who made the world around her feel brighter.

She was warm and always knew what her loved ones needed, whether it was a meal on the doorstep or a phone call.

She was a hard worker who simultaneously ran her own hairdressing salon and a side hustle in catering.

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On top of that, she managed a horse stud with her husband, retired Queensland jockey Arthur Lister.

She also taught hospitality skills at the local TAFE, spearheaded charity fundraisers, wrote a column in the local newspaper and served as the president of the school's P&C.

But for her daughter, Angie List, what people remember most about her mum is the joy she brought to everything.

"She adored entertaining and boy did she do it with flair – taking any excuse for a party, hiring karaoke machines for Christmas parties, even hosting a luau complete with fire dancers around their backyard pool," List said.

"She laughed with her whole body and she made every room she was in feel like somewhere worth being.

"She didn't want to be called grandma, she thought that made her sound old, she was far too vibrant for that.

"She gave herself a name her grandchildren could say that was easier than Helen – Hem."

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So when Hem didn't want to do anything for her 50th wedding anniversary, her daughter knew something was wrong.

"I knew immediately that was unlike her," List said.

"When I pushed, it turned out she didn't feel she could manage it herself anymore, so I stepped in and organised it for her."

In September 2023, Hem was diagnosed with dementia.

List said what followed was a two-and-a-half year period that was "relentless from the start".

The long goodbye

Each time Hem lost a part of herself to dementia, her family grieved.

"To have the most vibrant and capable human you know become a shell of her former self was beyond devastating," she said.

"To see her face but missing that huge smile, to struggle to hear a meek voice saying incomprehensible words instead of her loud voice and vivacious laugh. 

"We lost the woman we loved in pieces and grieved it every time we lost something again. 

"There's a reason it is called the long goodbye."

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For eight months up until her death, Hem struggled to swallow.

She required a minced diet and thickened fluids to get the nutrients she needed.

Soon her brain could no longer coordinate the act of swallowing at all.

"She still had a huge appetite, that is the cruelty of it," List said.

"She was not choosing not to eat, the mechanism was gone."

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In Hem's final days, she weighed 24 kilos and her mouth was open continuously for 10 days.

Her mouth and tongue were dry despite her family's hourly attempts to moisten it with swabs and sprays.

Hem's family felt helpless as they watched her in pain from the starvation.

She did not have access to assisted dying as an option because she no longer had the ability to request it.

"The law had been designed for people who retained the capacity to ask for it themselves," List said.

"Dementia, by definition, takes that capacity away.

"She did not deserve to die by starvation."

Push to create Hem's 'greatest legacy'

List is now fighting for change to ensure no other Australian endures the same fate.

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is currently Australia's leading cause of death.

The condition accounted for more than 17,500 deaths in 2024, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

List is calling for a new standalone legal provision called Hem's Law, separate from existing assisted dying legislation, to permit a family member or legal representative to choose a peaceful death on behalf of a person with dementia.

She said this should only be approved once two independent doctors have confirmed the patient has reached the active dying phase.

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Under List's proposal, the legal provision would also require a speech pathologist to confirm the complete and irreversible loss of swallowing, and a palliative care specialist to confirm comfort care is the only remaining pathway.

List is also proposing a clear and legally binding opt-out provision for anyone who does not want this option available to them for any reason.

She has since started a Change.org petition to gain support for Hem's Law.

If the law were to become a reality, it would mean her mum's suffering was not in vain.

"It would mean my own children may not have to suffer the trauma of seeing their mother in pain and be helpless like I was," she said.

"She spent her whole life raising money to improve people's lives. 

"If Hem's Law passes, her story becomes her greatest legacy."

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Shocking footage has emerged, showing adults seemingly cheering on students in school uniforms brawling, in the latest incident in Sydney's bullying scourge.

Several after-school brawls in the western Sydney suburb of Bidwill on Thursday afternoon appeared to be adjudicated by adults.

The same vision later shows the grown-ups engaging in their own fights.

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"It's disgusting behaviour and police won't tolerate that behaviour," Superintendent Brendan Gorman said.

The appalling footage depicts one of several physical fights alleged to have occurred across Mt Druitt this week.

Police are investigating several tit-for-tat assaults, including one filmed at a bus interchange on Monday, allegedly involving the same warring teenagers.

"Violence is no way to resolve any conflict," Gorman said.

"If there's any concerns regarding any behaviour, about childrens' welfare, contact the police and we can provide advice."

Youth organisations like Learning Ground believe more support is needed.

"When there is strong investment and strong funding then we will see less of this behaviour," Dr Rumbi Mabambe from Learning Ground Bidwill said.

Two girls, aged 15 and 16, as well as a 25-year-old woman have been charged over the Bidwill brawl.

Police are using the footage to pinpoint others involved.

"If adults are encouraging kids to commit offences they are subject to charges themselves," Gorman said.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that the government will be granted new powers to help private importers bring more fuel into the nation as the government attempts to curb spiking fuel prices and panic buying.

The new powers are set to come into effect on Monday and will allow the government to use public funds to underwrite the purchase of fuel by the private sector.

The prime minister said it will also allow for the purchase of fertiliser and other essentials.

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"I want us to have the strongest possible plants, so we're ready for what may come. I want to keep our people, our economy and our nation moving," he said.

Albanese said that the government is in talks with local and international fuel suppliers "to help firm up and source new cargoes required to keep Australia moving".

"Put simply, we will use Export Finance Australia to underwrite the purchase of shiploads of fuel that will add to supply here in Australia.

"This support from the government will not be business as usual.

"It has to be additional supplies that are available on the international market, and it literally will be underwriting the purchase of shiploads of fuel to get here to Australia."

The prime minister said the measures are being enacted to keep Australia prepared and ensure fuel "gets to the right places".

He said that recent footage circulating on social media showing people filling multiple jerry cans at petrol stations to hoard fuel is "not the Australian way".

"People need to take what they need and no more," he said.

"I don't want things to be mandated, common sense should apply as well."

"This isn't toilet paper that's been piled up in some garages. It's actually fuel.

"That's not sensible on a range of levels. One, it's not doing the right thing by your fellow Australians. But importantly, as well, it can be dangerous."

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Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen backed the prime minister's sentiments, saying that fuel demand in rural Australia is at "a very busy time".

"[Demand] remains exceedingly high, and this supply is still not enough, but we are increasing supply and working in a very complicated supply chain to get the fuel to where it needs to go."

"The fact of the matter is, cargo internationally available, but is getting increasingly expensive and increasingly risky in a volatile environment."

Bowen said Australia currently has 1.6 billion litres of petrol, which roughly equates to nine days' worth, which is up "very slightly".

He also said the nation has 2.7 billion litres of diesel, which is approximately one month's worth, and is "pretty flat".

"What that tells me is that while the fuel is flowing strongly out the door, especially to regional Australia."

Bowen said that Australians need to remain prepared as the war in the Middle East escalates, so too will volatile fuel prices.

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Onlookers said ‘futile’ mission for rescue team working against incoming tide.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

Thousands of crew are left waiting as a battle over the Strait of Hormuz looms.

Is yours the golden ticket?

Neighbours say the Mt Albert property has hosted similar chaos in the past.