Given the new highs and Simmons, Pickens and others tipping their hat at a passed peak, how about hedging our future with good Australian oil industry stocks. Any suggestions?

I'm not a financial adviser, so I don't give financial advice - including stock tips - I'm afraid.

I have done a number of posts on a theoretical "peak oil portfolio" over the past few years though - see here for the details:

http://peakenergy.blogspot.com/2005/09/war-famine-pestilence-death-peak-...
http://peakenergy.blogspot.com/2006/03/war-famine-pestilence-death-part-...
http://peakenergy.blogspot.com/2006/12/pop-v3.html
http://peakenergy.blogspot.com/2007/07/peak-oil-portfolio-update.html

I'd suggest the most interesting to look at (in terms of reserves and future opportunities) if you want to do some more research are Woodside Energy, Oil Search and Worley Parsons (a service company, not a producer).

As to how they might fare as investments I have comment though...