Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Every single day I've acknowledged that Australians are feeling stretched and under pressure because of the impact of the war in the Middle East. That has been the consistent position that we have taken, and those opposite might like to wish it away or erase it. I noticed that the member for Canning didn't do that on Sunday. Australia is not a participant in the war in the Middle East, but Australians are feeling and seeing the impact here at home. We stand with, overwhelmingly, the majority of Australians absolutely doing the right thing as they always do. There are some who've taken more than what they need. That's the truth. Just look at your devices, and you'll see examples of that. That has meant that there's pressure on the system, more pressure than there should be. It is a fact that every single ship that was due to arrive up to this point has arrived. That is just a fact. It is also a fact that we changed the fuel standards in order to ensure that every bit of fuel, petrol and diesel produced here stays here. It is also a fact that we released 20 per cent of the reserves and prioritised that going to regional areas. It is also a fact that we have engaged with our international partners to make sure that supplies continue to come here.

It is also a fact that we have worked across states and territories across the political system for the National Fuel Security Plan, agreed with leaders from both sides of politics through the National Cabinet, so that we have a system going forward that is clear through the four stages. We want to stay at stage 2, where we are. There are challenges ahead of us. It's also a fact that because prices have increased right around the world we sought to have a responsible plan to make a difference as well to people's cost-of-living issues, as we always do. We thought it through. We finalised it. The states and territories met again at 12 o'clock today and finalised a position consistent with what we've asked them to do, something that was forgotten, so they don't benefit from the GST windfall, just like we have raised the issue of registrations and the road user charge as well.

There are challenges ahead of us. No government can just eliminate all of the pressure which is there. What we can do is act in an orderly, responsible way, not try to create issues but try to create an appropriate response, which is— (Time expired)

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