Sam Birrell (Nicholls, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fuel and fertiliser supply disruptions are now being felt across Australia. While national fuel stocks remain stable for the moment, price shocks and supply risks are escalating, particularly in regional areas. Industries are already experiencing sharp increases in fuel costs. Freight and logistics operators have imposed steep fuel surcharges, with air freight seeing sudden increases and shipping lines adding emergency container fees. Many businesses are absorbing these costs in the short term, but they have made it clear that they cannot do this into the future. There is a growing concern about diesel availability, especially in regional and rural communities. Higher fuel costs are also impacting workers who rely on travel.

Beyond fuel, we are seeing industrial supply chain disruptions, particularly in petrochemicals, plastics, construction materials and fertilisers. Nitrogen is fundamental to Australian productivity, and any sustained disruption to supply has serious implications. It has implications for food production, farm input costs and broader food security. Disruption will feed into inflation, which was already a problem because of the Albanese government's record spending and failure to address productivity. Diesel is needed by Matt to harvest his pears, Luke to plant his wheat and Mandy to milk her cows. If they can't get diesel and carry out those operations, Australia is in real trouble.