Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fuel security is national security, and this government is gaslighting Australians. Last sitting, it was: 'There is no problem. There is no issue.' This sitting, it's: 'The Australian people are the ones who are taking too much fuel, and we still have lots of fuel to go around.' If that was the truth, then we wouldn't see fuel stations shut up—can't get fuel—people not being able to fill up their cars and businesses going without. It's not just people around the country that are doing it tough because of this failed Labor government's policy on fuel security. Small businesses like Sun City Skips are doing it tough. Meals on Wheels, who provide an essential service to give meals to the most vulnerable, are feeling the pinch.

We heard today from the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. He put his hands up in the air and said, 'I'm done.' He threw the toys out of the cot. He can't blame Australians any more. He can't gaslight you. He has no solutions, and people are going to be paying more at the bowser. This isn't good enough. People are already doing it tough. We need a government that puts Australians first, not one that gaslights them and tells them that they've done the wrong thing. People are filling up now because they won't be able to afford it in a week's time when it's $3.50. People are filling up their cars because Australia is a tough place to do business. (Time expired)