Robbie Sefton examines how current international conflict is exposing Australia’s vulnerability to global supply shocks, highlighting the urgent need for stronger national resilience across food security, fuel supply and connectivity.
23 April 2026
Insight from: Robbie Sefton
When conflicts break out around the world, Australians can be thankful in recent times our population has not been directly impacted by the likes of missile strikes and other acts of warfare. But unfortunately the current Iranian conflict is having a very real impact in a less direct way, delivering considerable pain to Australians’ hip pockets, and creating stress related to the uncertainty around vital commodities like fuel.
It can be easy to become a little complacent in a country like Australia where most of us have the luxury of clean water straight to our homes, electricity at the flick of a switch and readily- accessible staples like food and fuel. What we’re facing now though is the reality of our vulnerability to global shocks outside our control, and the impact that has on our access to, and cost of, everyday goods and services.
This current period certainly bears some eerie similarities to COVID times: the uncertainty, price shocks and shortages. It was during COVID Australians came to rely on their internet connections more than ever as schools and workplaces closed and we were all at home working and trying to stay connected. In the times we find ourselves in now though, is there the potential for our connectivity to be impacted in the same way as our fuel supplies?
I’ve read some discussion in the past month on concerns for connectivity in conflict zones, particularly around satellite-based services, which have become so important to rural and regional Australia in particular. While there’s no immediate concerns here in Australia, what could future geopolitical tensions deliver? As the weapons of war rapidly evolve, is there the potential one day to disrupt satellite services? It’s all speculation at this point, but I think the takeaway should be that where once disruptions of this nature were the stuff of science fiction, one day they may be a reality.
This crisis has also raised issues around food security. For those in the agriculture industry, there are real concerns not only for diesel supply currently, but also fertiliser imports, which are being impacted by the current restrictions around shipping. Many Australians would be unaware of the implications here, but there are warnings about the potential for food shortages and price spikes. The federal government announced late last year it was proceeding with a national food security strategy, Feeding Australia, which was welcome news, and which should now become an immediate priority.
While the current conflict is beyond our control, what our policy-makers can be doing is planning for a future where our vulnerability to global disruptions is reduced. While we don’t have a crystal ball, it’s a fair bet the current crisis won’t be the last, and we should be planning based on the assumption that international instability – be it related to conflicts, climate or trade – will be the norm. Everything should be on the table when it comes to reinforcing our defences against supply and price shocks. We don’t need a crystal ball to know we have to start building a more self-sufficient Australia.
