Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In a time of great uncertainty, Australians deserve a clear answer from the minister for energy as to whether the government has a strategy to ensure there are adequate fuel supplies for our nation. The minister must be transparent about our fuel supplies and the location of our fuel supplies. The minister has this tool available to him; I encourage him to use it. Reports of fuel rationing are very concerning. Energy and fuel prices flow through to the cost of everything we buy. From groceries to power bills, we are all directly affected. Fuel security is a very serious issue. Australians are already struggling with our Albanese homemade cost-of-living crisis and now have to contend with rising fuel prices over fears of not enough supply.

I've had reports about petrol stations right across Durack running out of diesel, particularly in those important farming communities. Wholesale suppliers are also struggling to get fuel or they're holding on to their fuel stocks. Western Australian farmers are telling me there are genuine concerns about a lack of supply leading into the next growing season. Honestly, this is unbelievable—we are talking about our nation's food security. Many of our farmers, families, pensioners and small businesses are already at breaking point. Minister, our farming and our regional communities are important, and they deserve to know what you are doing about our nation's fuel supply.