Albanese government could increase ethanol level in fuel as farmers warn about food prices

Treasurer admits the end of the war ‘can’t come soon enough’ for Australia as small miners scale back operations Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The federal government will consider an increase in ethanol levels in fuel to boost fuel supplies as farmers warn food prices will soon jump amid threats of economy-wide shocks from the oil crisis. Guardian Australia can reveal ministers are now considering increasing ethanol levels in fuel to boost petrol supplies and avert potential shortages – a move backed by the NRMA. It comes as smaller miners have already started scaling back operations. The fuel supply and price crisis sparked by the ongoing Middle East war is being felt across the economy, hurting consumers and escalating the political pressure on the Albanese government. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, told business chiefs on Tuesday night that the end of the war “can’t come soon enough” for the Australian economy. “We are well placed and well prepared, but we will be buffeted,” Chalmers told a Business Council of Australia dinner. The National Farmers’ Federation president, Hamish McIntyre, said food