Popular influencer Ashy Bines has raised eyebrows after sharing a video of herself stocking up on toilet paper at a local supermarket as Australia's fuel crisis continues.
She shared a clip to her Instagram story this week that showed her on a shopping trip with fellow influencer Tijana Bundalo, who said the pair were 'prepping in case things lock down.'
Ashy, 37, jumped in, explaining that the worsening fuel crisis had prompted her to pick up some extra supplies.
She added that she was particularly keen to stock up on dried food and toilet paper, alluding to the panic buying seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
'I don't know if you guys have seen, it's maybe a little bit controversial but fuel prices, the rumours are we're gonna run out and then we're worried that transport stops and all the food goes,' she said.
'So, we're just prepping some dried food and some toilet paper because we all know what happened a few years ago.'
Popular influencer Ashy Bines has raised eyebrows after sharing a video of herself stocking up on toilet paper at a local supermarket as Australia's fuel crisis continues.
She shared a clip to her Instagram story this week that showed her on a shopping trip with fellow influencer Tijana Bundalo, who said the pair were 'prepping in case things lock down.'
Tijana added that being prepared before a potential crisis could help prevent lockdown panic buying.
'I feel like my parents are so deep in this rabbit hole, so there's never just a problem to have a little bit of extra stuff at home just so if something stops, if transport stops or whatever, it's like you don't have to get into that real anxious energy that everyone went through when COVID happened,' she said.
Seemingly keen to ward off criticism, the mum-of-two uploaded a subsequent video in which she explained she was not encouraging panic buying.
'I don't think there's anything wrong in being a little bit prepared, I didn't go excessive, I bought one thing of toilet paper, I bought some tin foods, some dry foods, some extra rice crackers and an extra jar of peanut butter, it wasn't anything excessive,' she explained.
'When you’ve got children I don’t think there’s anything wrong with just making sure that you’re a little bit prepped.'
'It’s not to make anyone fearful, it’s just like mama to mama, be prepared.'
Ashy's comments come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a second national cabinet meeting to discuss new emergency measures to tackle the ongoing fuel crisis.
Public transport discounts, working from home, and carpooling are among the proposed measures set to be discussed by state and territory premiers next Monday.
'We're just prepping some dried food and some toilet paper because we all know what happened a few years ago,' she added, referencing the panic buying of toilet paper during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospitality operators will consider imposing a five per cent surcharge on customers as transport and delivery costs soar during the ongoing fuel crisis.
The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association has urged businesses to introduce a temporary surcharge on all meals, including takeaways.
Almost 200 petrol stations across NSW have run out of diesel, while at least 32 reported not having any fuel at all, Energy Minister Chris Bowen told parliament on Wednesday.
In Victoria, 134 are without one or more grades.
Ashy was recently slammed online after people claimed she was using the Bondi terror attack to promote her wellbeing podcast and program.
She shared a post to Instagram in the wake of the tragedy in which she discussed the enormous emotional toll the attacks had taken on the wider Australian community.
'I feel everyone in Australia is waking up feeling sick just thinking about everyone impacted by Bondi,' Ashy began.
'May we support one another and never forget the power of kindness in times like these.'
Seemingly keen to ward off criticism, the mum-of-two uploaded a subsequent video in which she explained she was not encouraging panic buying.
'It's not to make anyone fearful, it's just like mama to mama, be prepared,' she said.
Almost 200 petrol stations across NSW have run out of diesel, while at least 32 reported not having any fuel at all, Energy Minister Chris Bowen told parliament on Wednesday. In Victoria, 134 are without one or more grades.
Ashy then suggested that people who are feeling 'wobbly' due to the emotional toll of the attacks should subscribe to her Rise Inside podcast and wellbeing program. She provided a link to the subscription page, which charges a membership fee of $50 per month.
'If I'm ever feeling anxious or want to feel more calm, it's nice to know that in less than five minutes that can all change,' Ashy wrote.
Furious followers quickly took to social media to slam Ashy for 'using' the Bondi terror attack to promote her business.
'Does anyone else find it really bad taste and just gross that Ashy Bines is using the awful terrorist attack in Bondi to advertise her Rise Inside subscription?' one person asked.
'Any influencer using this tragedy to pivot or push a business or product should go straight in the bin. Absolutely foul,' a second added.
'To make money off this is utterly disgusting. This is the lowest of the low. This must stop,' another chimed in.
'Yes, that's exactly how the people affected by the Bondi tragedy are feeling today, "wobbly",' someone else sniped.