Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister guarantee that Australia will not run out of fuel?

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

It's just a rhetorical upgrade from the previous question that I was asked and to which I gave a comprehensive answer, which is that we are prioritising fuel security and supply. The fact is that we're putting in place all of these measures. Our reserves aren't in Texas; they're here and available.

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

I'm not prepared to take the point of order from the Manager of Opposition Business, because the Prime Minister is 15 seconds into his answer. Going on previous Speakers' rulings, from 18 June 2009 all the way through to 19 September 2019—and I can send those to the manager—I'm not prepared to take the point of order. Resume your seat. We've had this before. I've been crystal clear. If we were two minutes in or 2½ minutes in—but it is completely unreasonable. Former Speakers followed exactly the same course that I am following. Seconds in, with the Prime Minister having barely said a few words, to take a point of order on relevance—

Government members interjecting—

Members on my right, if you interject on the Prime Minister, you won't be here to hear the answer. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I said overnight, this is, internationally, a very challenging time. What it isn't is a political opportunity. We're working with industry, we're working with the NFF and we're making sure that we put in place all the appropriate measures to ensure that there is fuel security in this country.

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

I can guarantee that Australia enters this crisis much better prepared. We currently have 36 days of petrol supply on hand, 29 days of jet fuel and 32 days of diesel. The Leader of the Opposition was asked in 2020, when he held my position—

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

I will take this point of order. The minister will resume his seat. The minister was not asked anything about the opposition. Resume your seat. I will now hear the point of order from the manager.

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

It goes to direct relevance. The question was very straightforward. Can you guarantee Australia will not run out of fuel?

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

I do not want the minister talking about the opposition. He's going to have to talk about the question that he was asked.

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

Indeed, Mr Speaker. I'm simply pointing out what a previous minister said would guarantee supply, because the then minister for energy was asked, and he said 24 days.

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

Order! No, I will deal with this.

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

I'll move on.

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

Yes, to assist the House. We'll do this in a reasonable way. I've directed the minister to return to the question, and he shall do so. Otherwise, we will move on to the next question.

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

I'll simply say that we enter this crisis with 36 days worth of petrol, which is more than a previous minister said was necessary in a worst-case scenario. I might return to that later.

As the Prime Minister said, we deal with a situation currently where our fuel supplies continue to arrive and our fuel stocks continue to be strong.

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

The member for Cowper is warned!

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

Any responsible member of this House, when we're dealing with a doubling of demand, would say to the Australian people that because we have strong supplies and because we have—

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

Oder! The member for Cowper is on a warning, and he will leave under 94(a). I want the House to hear this information. The minister is providing information to the House on an important issue, so I'm asking for everyone's assistance. Show respect, show restraint.

The member for Cowper then left the chamber.

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

Any responsible member of the House would say that, while there are real challenges here, because our fuel supplies are secure, there is no need for panic buying. If honourable members undertake a different course of action—a national crisis is a time for leadership on both sides of the House. One side of the House is providing it. The other side of the House is playing politics.