Tom Venning (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Farmer Josh from Elliston, in my electorate, has texted me in desperation. He told me, 'I'm still currently waiting on fuel, and if I don't get some in the next 10 days, with the growing season approaching and rain forecast, it will cost our business in the long run.' Will the Prime Minister be upfront with the Australian people and inform them on how many service stations are out of fuel?

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

I thank the member for his question. The first thing I'd do is say to the member that, if he gives me Josh's number—he's just texted you—I'm happy to personally have a discussion with him and do what I can to help him, because that's what we do and that's what some members opposite have done, it must be said. We're a government that get things done and want to make a difference. Your current leader says, 'They've suffered enough.' Either you want to help this guy, or you don't, and, if you want to help him, give us the info; we'll follow it up and do what we can. Give us the number, and we'll follow it up.

I want to make this point as well. I've been asked about leadership by those opposite all during question time, and there's a big difference between what those opposite have suggested and what we have done today. We've worked constructively on supply with states and territories. We've worked constructively with industry. We've put out a national fuel security plan. When it comes to the measures to assist with the cost of living, by doing it through the National Cabinet process we've ensured that states and territories have agreed they shouldn't get a windfall gain, and what that will mean is a further reduction in the price of fuel.

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

Order! The Prime Minister will pause. The manager on a point of order.

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

The Prime Minister is now answering a question which—it goes to direct relevance.

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

Order! You need to state the point of order quickly.

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 Prime Minister is answering a question which was asked two or three questions ago. This was about how many fuel stations are currently out of fuel. Why won't you be upfront about it?

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

The Prime Minister was asked a question about a number, and I can't compel him to do that. What I can compel him to do is to be directly relevant. Half of the answer has been about the person individually involved regarding a text message, and the Prime Minister being upfront to that member is pretty direct and pretty relevant. I don't think it could be any more relevant. I'm just going to make sure, if he's answering the question and reading quotes, he's going to be directly relevant to what he was asked about.

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

I'm asked about supply for this individual, and I've asked for the number that so that we can engage with the person concerned, Josh. On supply, the Australian Institute of Petroleum's Malcolm Roberts—not the senator, the other one, the CEO—said this on Saturday in response to our initiative: 'While the flow of fuel into Australia continues uninterrupted, it is prudent for industry and government to secure additional medium-term supply in the event that the conflict in the Middle East continues for weeks or even months. Support from Export Finance Australia will help secure more spot cargoes for Australia as added insurance in uncertain times. The changes announced represent sensible risk sharing between industry and government. They will strengthen medium-term fuel security.' That's an example of the response of industry, who know something about these issues, when it comes to the measures that we have taken to secure supply into Australia in the context of a Middle East war. (Time expired)