Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm very pleased to be speaking on this matter of public importance, particularly to highlight how this government, the Albanese Labor government, governs for all Australians. That's been our commitment since we were elected to government—from day one—particularly when you look at our long list of cost-of-living relief measures, and I will outline them soon. All of those measures were voted against by the Liberals and Nationals. They have consistently voted against every measure we have had for cost-of-living relief for Australians who desperately need it. We have seen that time and time again from them.

Now what's really disappointing is that the Deputy Leader of the Nationals puts forward this matter of public importance and plays cheap politics, as we've consistently seen with the issue of fuel security, misleading people all the time. This is a time for bipartisanship. It is a time for everyone to work together, given the global uncertainty that we all face. Instead, we see cheap political games from the Liberals and Nationals yet again. They should be on Team Australia with all of us—all of us on the same page. But I think Australians have come to learn that all we get from the Liberals and Nationals is constant chaos, all the time. But Australians know they can rely on the Albanese Labor government when it comes to cost-of-living relief and when it comes to governing this country in the best interests of all Australians.

Today, we were all reminded that it was only a year ago that the Liberals and Nationals voted against tax cuts. No wonder Australians rejected them. They have no interest in the benefits for Australians, particularly those in regional and rural Australia. Those tax cuts have made a huge difference for those people in regional Australia. Time and time again, we see them voting against the best interests of all Australians.

Now, of course, we are all very closely following the events in the Middle East and seeing and feeling the consequences here at home. The longer that conflict goes on, the more significant the impact will be on the global economy and the Australian economy. It is front of mind for the entire government. We are looking to have in place every practical measure required. We're focused on shielding Australians from the worst of the Middle East energy crisis and building our energy resilience.

We have taken very positive action to shore up fuel supply and ensure consumers get a fair go at the petrol pump. We've already boosted fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel and we've unlocked new sources of supply by amending the fuel standards. We've worked with the ACCC to authorise major fuel suppliers to get fuel to where it is needed in the regions and to ramp up fuel price monitoring. We've set up the forums that are really needed for a coordinated response, including convening National Cabinet, tasking the National Coordination Mechanism and establishing the Fuel Security Taskforce. We have immediately done these actions because we know we need to have an absolute focus on this issue.

This week, we'll be empowering the ACCC by doubling penalties for false and misleading conduct and cartel behaviour—up to $100 million per offence. This government is acting swiftly because of the concerns. There is massive global uncertainty, but this government is acting swiftly because we need to have this in place. We have been indeed working around the clock—looking at all practical options that are available—ever since this conflict began.

The opposition is very well aware of this, and, as I said, they've chosen to play politics rather than be productive and get on board team Australia. That's what they should be doing, not playing politics. It's irresponsible and against the Australian interest for both the Liberals and Nationals—and One Nation, in fact; they're all one and the same now, aren't they?—to be spreading falsehoods about fuel security. It is irresponsible to be constantly doing that—for those Australians who are concerned. It's against the interest, particularly of regional Australians too, to be pushing damaging falsehoods just to get some cheap political gain. But I think people are seeing through it and seeing through the fact that it's just cheap political agendas that they have.

We're working to ensure that fuel flows at affordable prices as a supply chain comes under pressure and there's a massive increase in demand. We're closely monitoring that situation and working with the states, the territories and industry as well, every single day. We've heard here in question time from the Prime Minister and from the relevant minister exactly what is going on about this.

What I found appalling is that the previous speaker made reference to health. We all remember their previous government when it came to health. They wanted a GP tax. They cut millions from the health budget. They walk in here and have the audacity to lecture us about cost-of-living measures when they made every single cut that hurt Australians. In particular, regional and rural Australians hurt the most under the Liberal and National government. Since we've been in government, we've had a massive range of programs to provide cost-of-living relief when Australians desperately need it. We are working day and night when it comes to the very important issue of fuel security.

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