Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the Central West of New South Wales and around our country, there is a major fuel crisis unfolding before our eyes. Farmers are ringing the alarm bells as they're not able to secure the diesel needed to sow their crops. Fuel deliveries aren't turning up at service stations, and rationing in some areas has commenced.

Cudal farmer Rob Cook wrote to me and said: 'Right on the cusp of planting season, it is critical that we are assured of both availability and supply and a reasonable price. This will become a food security issue if action is not taken now.'

Mudgee area grazier Tim Rohar says: 'After recent rain, we prepared some land for sowing oats for winter feed. I rang our supplier for a delivery of diesel to replenish our supplies. I was informed that they were not able to deliver, as they are not able to access any diesel for on-farm delivery.'

Another local farmer, Malcolm Crockett, wrote to me and said: 'We ordered diesel and petrol for our farm a week ago, and nothing has arrived. I've ordered seed to sow crops and fodder for livestock, and now I can't get hold of the diesel we need to commence sowing. Our business will grind to a halt if timely delivery of fuel doesn't occur. Time is a critical issue in our work to produce food for this nation.'

This fuel crisis will very quickly become a food security crisis if immediate action is not taken. I call on the government to take urgent action to guarantee our farmers the fuel supply they need to feed the nation and our businesses the fuel they need to keep—

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Macquarie has the call.