Government's $4m Pilbara refinery pitch runs on imported crude, say critics

The Albanese government has committed $4m to study a new Pilbara oil refinery, framed as sovereign fuel security. Geoscience Australia projects domestic crude production could cease within seven years. Superpower Institute CEO Baethan Mullen says the refinery would almost certainly refine imported crude exclusively. Former BP Australia chief Greg Bourne calls it unlikely to be economically viable. So much for sovereign.