Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about an issue that is front of mind for families, workers and businesses right across my electorate of Paterson and, indeed, across the nation at the moment. It's the ongoing fuel crisis driven by the war in the Middle East. Global events are having real local consequences, from prices at the bowser to the cost of groceries and the viability of transport businesses. This is not an abstract construct. It's happening now, and it's being felt in households and workplaces right across our community. We see you. We know what's happening.

In Paterson we are seeing the impact firsthand. One business I want to acknowledge is Hills Tankers, a proud local company that plays a critical role, not just in our region but nationally. It distributes fuel across Australia, supplying retail, aviation and diesel fuels that keep industries operating and communities moving. It is part of the backbone of our economy. I also want to recognise the people behind that success. Andrew and Vicki Hill have built a remarkable family business, supported by a strong leadership team: Shaun and Scott in operations, Helen as chief financial officer and around 330 employees across Australia who keep this business running and our nation running too. But, like so many in the transport sector right now, they are under real pressure.

Australians are practical and sensible people. When times are tough, we adapt. We see it every day—people riding motorbikes instead of driving, carpooling and working from home when they can. Australians are doing their bit, and they expect government to do the same. And that's why we have not stood still. It's just one part of our broad response.

The Albanese government has been engaging directly with industry, listening to businesses like Hills Tankers and acting on their concerns. We've established a national fuel supply taskforce to coordinate our response and keep fuel flowing where it is needed. We continue to have meetings of National Cabinet, and I know the Prime Minister is meeting with the premiers next Monday. We've doubled penalties for fuel price gouging to protect consumers and small businesses, through the ACCC, and we've acted to support the transport sector, allowing truck drivers and businesses to make emergency applications for contract chain orders so rising fuel costs can be managed fairly across the supply chain. Without our truckies, without our businesses like Hills Tankers, supply chains simply don't function.

We've also taken steps to increase fuel availability, easing supply pressures at a critical time. This is about being connected and staying connected not just in Canberra but on the ground. We are working directly with businesses, industry groups and communities because they are living these challenges every day. To Andrew and Vicki and their team and every transport operator and worker in Paterson: we hear you, we see you and we know you're under pressure, but we also know that you are doing your bit for our nation at this moment. We are acting decisively and responsibly, and we want to support you because, in times like this, Australians can't be left to carry the burden on their own. We are going to continue to listen, to engage and to act in the best interests of communities like mine in Paterson.

I do want to send a shout-out to all of those people who've done the responsible thing and haven't hoarded fuel, haven't bought jerry cans and haven't bought too much fuel. They've done the right thing. But I also get those who have had to buy excess in order to keep their businesses going. I know this is a matter of balance, but I again want to say to all Australians that fuel is expensive at the moment, and we understand the pressure that you are under. We know we need to continue to listen and to work for you here in Canberra, and that's what we intend to do because that's what responsible government is all about.

Question agreed to.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 12:21

See this speech in context