Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

We see Senator McKenzie again doing what she often does, which is to try and create fear and misinformation. I would really encourage the opposition to be very careful about how they handle this issue.

In terms of what I am advised, I can say this: we have as much fuel coming through our ports now as we did before the war began. I'll say that again: we have as much fuel coming through our ports now as we did before the war began. However, we do understand that there are some regions and farmers who are having difficulty getting the fuel that they require. As the minister said in the press conference with the Prime Minister today, the primary problem is not supply; the primary problem is changes in demand. You have some responsibility in helping to deal with that. If the country engages in spikes in demand because people are panicking, because they are being encouraged to panic by certain shadow ministers and others, that is not a good thing for the market.

I wasn't actually looking at you, Senator. I was looking over there. I'm also advised that the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the minister for agriculture and the minister for industry are holding talks with suppliers and the farming sector, I believe, today—it may be tomorrow; I'll check which is correct—because of issues raised around diesel, fuel and fertiliser.