Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to address this motion before us because, while it may be well intentioned, it risks missing the reality faced by communities like mine in the north. The fuel tax credit scheme is something that keeps trucks moving, farms operating and supply chains functioning across this country. It's worth explaining exactly what the fuel tax credit scheme is, because it is often misunderstood. The FTC allows businesses that use fuel off public roads—a very important piece—or in heavy vehicles and machinery to claim a credit for the fuel tax they pay. It applies to industries like agriculture, transport, mining and construction—sectors that quite literally keep our economy moving. Put simply, it is not a subsidy in the traditional sense; it is about ensuring these industries are not taxed twice for fuel use that does not rely on public roads. When we talk about fuel tax credits, we are also talking about the cost of getting food from paddock to plate, the cost of keeping construction sites running and the cost of ensuring regional Australia stays connected. If we get this wrong, Australians will feel it, not theoretically but at the checkout, at the bowser and in their power bills.

This motion suggests an orderly phase-out, but there is nothing orderly about pulling support out from under industries that rely on this scheme to operate day to day, especially in the situation that we find ourselves in nationwide, where, due to unforeseen global circumstances, petrol in some places is hovering around $2.50 a litre and diesel has peaked at above $3. To remove a scheme such as the fuel tax credits, would simply cripple businesses and mean we pay more to get food on our plate. The truth is electrification at scale is not yet a reality for many of these sectors. Heavy transport, agriculture and mining—these are not industries that can simply switch overnight. We all support the transition to net zero. That is not in dispute, but the path to net zero must be practical, it must be staged, and it must bring people with us not leave them behind.

To the drivers around Australia who still use fuel, we are providing greater fuel support for those that are doing it tough at the bowser right now. We have taken practical steps to protect Australians from unfair fuel price spikes, because, when global uncertainty hits, it should not be everyday Australians who wear the cost. That is why we have empowered the ACCC to crack down on unfair price rises, ensuring there are real consequences for companies that do the wrong thing by motorists. We have also acted to boost supply, releasing 20 per cent of the base line minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel, getting more fuel into the system when it is needed most. At the same time, we have temporarily amended fuel standards—a sensible, targeted measure designed to increase supply and ease pressure on prices without compromising long-term standards. Importantly, we are working hand in hand with industry and with the states and territories to make sure that fuel is getting to the communities that rely on it most, particularly in regional Australia. For many communities, especially across places like mine in Spence, access to affordable fuel is not a luxury; it is essential to daily life.

We know there is more to do, and this government will continue to examine every practical option available to shield Australian households and businesses from the worst impacts of global volatility. That is why the Prime Minister brought together National Cabinet this morning—coordination matters and leadership matter in moments like this. This approach is consistent across the board. On tax, we reshaped the stage 3 tax cuts so that every taxpayer benefited not just those at the top end of town. That is not about ideology; that is about fairness and making sure relief reaches the people who need it most. On energy, we did not offer a promise decades into the future and walk away. We have set clear targets, we backed them with real investment, and we are getting on with the job of building the infrastructure needed. That is how you bring prices down over time—not through slogans but through action. It is about doing the work now, making the investments now and supporting Australians now.

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