Leon Rebello (McPherson, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak on fuel security. Now, fuel security is not an abstract policy issue; it's a national security and economic stability issue impacting the daily life of Australians. Before I start, I'd like to just touch on the contribution of the member for Moreton. The member for Moreton said, 'Right now is a serious time.' I hope the member reminds the Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy that it is a serious time the next time that they enter this chamber during question time. They avoid answering our questions and they laugh in the opposition's face. I hope that the member reminds the Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy that this is in fact a serious time.

Right now as a country, and this motion touches on this, we are quite dangerously exposed. As a country, we're importing over 90 per cent of our refined fuel, and we hold some of the lowest reserves in the OECD. That's very important because it leaves us vulnerable to global shocks, to conflict and to supply disruptions and, when that happens, it's not just Canberra that feels it; it's families, it's farmers, it's truckies and it's regional communities.

At a time when we are uncertain about fuel supply in this country, we're seeing mixed messages coming from those opposite. First, it was 'no problem' then we heard 'don't panic' then we heard, 'Oh, it's the fault of Australians who are going out and buying too much petrol.' Now we're hearing language surrounding a national crisis, with advice to people across the country to work from home. Not only does that kind of mixed messaging provide uncertainty but it also undermines the level of confidence that I think Australians require at this time from their government, because, if supply is truly strong, why is it that shipments are being cancelled or delayed? Why are Australians being told to change their behaviour? Why are fuel stations running out of petrol? On Friday I received contact from constituents to advise me that in my electorate of McPherson on of the most well-known fuel stations down the southern end in Bilinga had gone through this experience, and my understanding is that they continue to do so. This points to a system failure in relation to distribution, not just supply.

The coalition has been trying to bring the government to act for some time over the last few weeks, and now we're seeing in this place that, despite the fact that we've had four out of the last five weeks sitting here in Canberra, we have a situation where the government is looking to all of a sudden wake up to the fact that there is a fuel crisis and to try and get some legislation through the parliament. Let's not forget that ensuring fuel gets through the system is the responsibility of the minister. But what are we seeing? We're seeing this part-time energy minister instead outsourcing responsibility to taskforces, to the ACCC, to people who don't always believe in fuel itself. The coalition has come out in support of halving the fuel excise, and I say to every Australian to look at their representatives, especially those who have representatives who are members of the government. They should be able to look at them and tell them that for every single day that the Prime Minister doesn't do that Australians are paying an extra $16 million in fuel right in the midst of a fuel crisis.

When fuel doesn't reach where it's needed and when supply is low and the costs are high, we see a whole heap of other consequences. We see food production being disrupted, regional economies disrupted, freight slowing and many other consequences. The coalition has in the past recognised fuel security as a national vulnerability. This happened during COVID. We saved Australia's last two refineries, legislated the Fuel Security Act, introduced the minimum stockholding obligation and delivered a 40 per cent increase in diesel reserves. We can't have the government's endless pursuit of net zero coming at the cost of basic supply security. That's why I say to this government: come to the table, get some action on the plate and let's address this issue for the benefit of Australians.

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