Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question. Can I say that in this environment, the government's first priority and first obligation and duty is to ensure the fuel security for the traditional liquid fuels that we all rely on. The honourable member is nodding, and I think we would all agree on that. That is what we're doing. I've outlined—and I may have other opportunities over the next hour—everything we're doing and will continue to do.

Effectively, the honourable member also points to the fact that moving to more renewable energy makes us less reliant on the fossil fuel supply chain internationally, and that is correct. That is why we're doing things like the $1.1 billion fund to see more Australian manufacturing of low-carbon liquid fuels, for example. That is our policy. I saw the member for Mallee the other day say: 'We've got so much canola. Why are we sending it overseas to be processed? We should do more of that in Australia.' What a good idea. That is what our policy does, and that is why we announced a $1.1 billion fund to do just that—because it's good for Australian farmers, it's good for the environment and it's good for everyone. It didn't happen under the previous government, and the Treasurer, the minister for transport and I have begun that process.

Now, also in relation to fossil fuels and the energy system, I'm pleased with the fact that, for example, in the last energy crisis in Ukraine, in that summer, we used in our energy grid 2.7 terawatt-hours of gas. The equivalent figure for this summer is 1.5 terawatt-hours of gas. Now, that is good for emissions, of course, but it also means we are less reliant on it. It still will have an impact. The international gas price will still have an impact on Australia, no doubt—but a little bit less.

Our policy in relation to the diesel fuel rebate hasn't changed. It does provide support for farmers in particular in relation to their farm operations. But what we will do is continue with the sorts of policies that we are implementing, like the $1.1 billion cleaner fuel fund. The transition of our energy system to more renewables, which is the cheapest form of energy, is not dependent on global supply chains. I mean, Vladimir Putin cannot interrupt the supply of sun to Australia and the international circumstance in the Middle East cannot interrupt the flow of wind in Australia. So that is a reliable form of energy. We on this side of the House get it. I think many in the crossbench get it. Those opposite less so.

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