Nicolette Boele (Bradfield, Independent) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. The government handed out $622 million in diesel tax credits to BHP last financial year, and BHP's after-tax profits were over $15½ billion. Can you explain to Australians why one of Australia's most profitable companies needs a $622 million taxpayer subsidy for diesel use, especially in the middle of a fuel crisis, when regular Aussies are feeling the crunch at the bowser?

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

I thank the honourable member for her question. The government's focus has been on securing fuel supply in the middle of a fuel crisis internationally—that would be the first point I'd make. Secondly, the point I'd make is that the government has chosen to focus on reducing emissions in heavy industry, including mining, through reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism. Those reforms have now been operating for two years and have resulted in 5.8 million tonnes of avoided emissions. Importantly, we are projected to avoid 17 billion litres of diesel being used between now and 2035 because we are putting in place the settings that will encourage those big emitters and big facilities to reduce their fuel use in a careful, methodical and properly designed fashion.