Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Plumbers, transport and security businesses in my electorate of Lindsay say their businesses are being impacted by fuel shortages. Aaron of Penrith City Plumbing Services has a fleet of three trucks but has had to take one of those trucks off the road due to fuel shortages. Can the minister assure Aaron there are no fuel shortages in Western Sydney?

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As a Western Sydney resident and MP, I'm concerned about small businesses and residents right across Western Sydney, and I'm concerned to ensure that they continue to have access to fuel. The best way we can do that is by reminding people that our fuel supplies are secure and there is no need for panic buying. We can remind people that, because of the actions of this government, we have 2.97 billion litres of diesel in our minimum stock obligations, and we have 1.56 billion litres of petrol in reserve—not called upon; in reserve—for if the situation in the Middle East gets worse. Let me say to the House: I won't hesitate to release those reserves if necessary. I will not hesitate, if that's what is necessary.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lindsay has asked her question.

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Are the opposition really calling for us to release those reserves now? I invite the opposition to reflect on the responsibility of what they're calling for. So far, all they've called for is me to require service stations to fill in more forms. The situation remains, with no help from the former minister for energy, the member for Hume, that Australia's fuel supplies are secure.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will pause. The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Once again, I'm going to have to go to direct relevance. It was a very straightforward, simple question. I know you're under the pump—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Resume your seat. The minister was asked about the impacts on shortages and for assurances regarding fuel shortages in Western Sydney. He was updating the House on litres in reserve, addressing that part of the question, and he was taking interjections about releasing some of that fuel and what not. I want to make sure he is being directly relevant about the individual that he was asked about on behalf of the member for Lindsay, as well. The manager was right in raising that point of order, but the minister is also correct in giving that information to the House—so just making sure he's being directly relevant.

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I've said previously, if the opposition want to make a constructive suggestion, we'll listen in good faith if they make the suggestion in good faith. I think I've made very clear the government recognises the pressures—and I do recognise this is a big day; the member for Wannon asked me his first question this year, today. He's rustled up the energy to ask me a question. It's a big call for the part-time shadow minister for energy, but I'm glad he's turned up to work today.