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

I thank the member for Leichhardt for his question and acknowledge that the member for Leichhardt not only has been dealing with these issues but also has been dealing with the consequences of the cyclone in his electorate and has been working closely with Premier Crisafulli and Minister McBain to make sure that his community is looked after, particularly areas like Coen and other small communities that have been really hit hard.

We are taking action to help Australians who are under cost-of-living pressure caused by what is the biggest spike in petrol and diesel prices in history. That is a global result of the war in the Middle East, where Australia is not a participant but is still impacted by it. Easing that pressure and helping people is our priority. That's why our action to halve the fuel excise for three months, starting tomorrow, is so important. That will save Australian families and farmers 26c for every litre of petrol and diesel when they fill up at the servo. That's why our action reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero is so important as well. It's so Australian trucking can keep Australia's economy going. That's why our action empowering the Commonwealth to underwrite shiploads of fuel, fertiliser and other essentials is so important.

I note that that action was somehow criticised in the question that was asked just before. They said, 'If there's no problem, why are you worried about supply?' What we are doing is making sure that we get ahead of issues and that we plan appropriately. That's what good government does. The idea that somehow there's a contradiction between that and saying that every ship that was due to come here is here is just extraordinarily irresponsible from those opposite. I ask them to really think through the way that they're behaving during what is a real challenge and what they'd have thought if we'd have behaved like this during COVID. It's just absolutely extraordinary.

We're working with the National Cabinet, with industry, with producers, with suppliers and farmers, taking action. We understand this is an uncertain time and we understand that Australians are under pressure, but that's why we're focused on them. That's why we want to look after people. That is the Australian way. That is our government's way; working around the clock, looking at every practical measure to make a positive difference and then taking action.

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