Almost all petrol stations in the town of Alice Springs, in Northern Territory, Australia, replaced unleaded petrol with the non-sniffable Opal fuel, in the second week of September. According to the federal health minister, Tony Abbott, the move is part of the government's campaign to curb rampant petrol sniffing among remote indigenous Australian communities.
Before the current move, only one petrol station in Alice Springs sold Opal fuel. To encourage the fuel, the federal government has subsidised it for remote communities. The subsidy will cost the federal government about us $4 million a year.
Unlike the 25 per cent aromatics in petrol, which gives sniffers a high, Opal fuel contains only 5 per cent of aromatics. Sixty-two indigenous communities in Australia already use Opal fuel. According to a government statement, the fuel complies with Australian fuel standards and has the same qualities as that of regular unleaded petrol.
It can be mixed with other fuel without affecting a car's engine or performance. "Preliminary reports show that the fuel had helped reduce the incidence of petrol sniffing and the government is confident that it will deter sniffers from travelling to Alice Springs," says Abbott.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.