David Batt (Hinkler, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Right now the cost of diesel in my regional Queensland electorate is sitting anywhere around $3.20 per litre; unleaded is upward of $2.50. Make no mistake, so much damage has already been done. However, it is pleasing that, after taking the coalition's lead, Hinkler families and small businesses will pay less for fuel because the government finally decided that cutting the fuel tax is a good idea—finally taking this crisis seriously, finally listening to the calls that we were making last week. Finally, this will provide overdue relief and ease some pressures ahead of Easter, but it won't remove uncertainty in my community.

Fuel prices are visibly hitting households in real time, a problem right across regional Australia. The reality is that we still do not have a clear plan to get the fuel to the servos that have run dry. Fuel supply is paramount and the question is: can this government guarantee it? All along, those opposite have provided only cold comfort, suggesting Aussies were in a good position to deal with this crisis. Well, try and explain that to grandparents who are questioning if they can really afford that trip to visit grandkids this Easter, or to hospitality staff with reduced hours due to slowing trade.

Is it all good if you want to throw a prawn on the barbie on Good Friday? Well, your seafood bill will be up due to the cost of getting a trawler on the water. Seafood supplier and exporter Stephen Murphy from Australian Ocean King Prawn Company in Hervey Bay says the next month is crunch time for the fishing industry. He is worried, especially for the smaller operators. The message ahead of Easter from Stephen is that there is good quality supply for fresh local seafood, so don't buy imports. Support the locals first while you can because, if this crisis keeps up, the industry will be seriously struggling to survive.

Meanwhile, try telling the farmers of Hinkler that we are in a good position. They are already changing the way they do business. Our truckies and transporters like Just Freight—a local family owned freight company offering daily services from Bundaberg to Brisbane—owner Aaron Kemp says their biggest concern is passing on fuel costs. The fuel levies they impose are usually locked in. They are now being revised weekly and are at levels never seen before at around 50 per cent. For businesses like Just Freight, all costs of doing business have risen—buying vehicles, maintaining them; paying for and retaining staff. Like a farmer watches every drop of water, transport operators are monitoring every mile and every litre of fuel. Aaron has even enforced new rules to limit truck idling times. While back on the water, for tour boat operators taking visitors to the southern Great Barrier Reef, the costs are skyrocketing by upwards of $2,500 every day.

Today I was informed that tourists, the drive market bound for my region this Easter, are cancelling tours and holidays altogether. Visitors simply can't afford the fuel to travel, or they're just worried the fuel will run out before they drive home after their holiday. Meals on Wheels in Bundaberg, where I volunteered at Christmas time, has been forced to increase its fuel reimbursement amount for volunteers, a cost that is extremely tough to absorb for a charity like this. The coalition called on the Albanese government to halve the fuel tax to provide fast hip-pocket relief. Finally, today the Prime Minister agreed. Don't put the blame on Australians; instead, start showing some leadership and get the fuel flowing.

Speaker, on a positive note, it's fitting that you're here sitting in this chamber, as I'm pleased to announce Bundaberg State High School's Seth Johnson as the local member for National Youth Parliament 2026 for the seat of Hinkler. The Department of the House of Representatives and Y Australia today revealed the 150 participants for the initiative. As a Bundy high old boy, I'm immensely proud to see Seth represent the youth of Hinkler. Seth is an exceptional young leader and this is just another string to his impressive bow. I often quote the motto of Bundaberg State High: per ardua ad Astra—through hard work, the stars—and that rings true for Seth. I congratulate him on this appointment.

Mr Speaker, I'd just like to take these last moments to wish you, all members and parliamentary staff, and all locals and visitors in the Hinkler electorate a blessed Easter. Easter is a time to pause, reset and spend time with our loved ones. To me, it's about family, faith and community. Please remember in these tough times we're experiencing that, if Easter has taught us anything, out of the dark comes light.

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

Well said by the member for Hinkler.