Australia has moved a step closer to becoming totally reliant on imported refined products following BP’s recent decision to close its Kwinana Refinery.

The closure of the 65-year-old plant could potentially leave Australia with just one major refinery — Exxonmobil’s Altona near Melbourne.

BP blamed the decision to close Kwinana on the continued growth of large-scale, export-oriented refineries throughout Asia and the Middle East which has “structurally changed the Australian market”.