Ellie Whiteaker (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Australians are understandably watching events around the world and feeling worried about what that might mean here at home. When people see global conflict and volatility in energy markets, it's natural to ask whether Australians will have the fuel they need. But we should be clear about the facts. I've come to expect fearmongering and misinformation for political gain from One Nation and sometimes from the Greens political party, but to get it from the alternative government, from the Liberals and the Nationals, who, when they were in government, frankly, had a pretty poor record on fuel security—to use, I think, Senator Brockman's words—just beggars belief.

The facts are that we are above our minimum domestic fuel-stockholding obligations, and those stocks are physically stored here in Australia. Fuel companies have confirmed that shipments continue to arrive on time and in the quantities expected. There is no evidence that Australia is facing a national fuel shortage. What we are seeing are localised disruptions caused by sudden spikes in demand, and we do take those reports seriously. I've heard from regional communities in my home state of Western Australia. But I think it's really important that we don't use international conflicts—what are really scary times for many Australians—to stoke fear in the community for political gain.

What we've seen in recent days is people buying more fuel than they usually would because they are afraid, and, yes, we do blame the opposition for some of that, and they should take responsibility for the narrative that they're pushing both in this place and in the media. They should absolutely take some responsibility for that, because we are all leaders in this country and we all have a responsibility to do the right thing by the Australian people and not to continue to make people feel afraid in circumstances where they do not need to. We've seen jerry cans selling out in some areas and fuel containers appearing for resale online at jacked up prices. This kind of behaviour has placed unnecessary pressure on supply chains that are otherwise functioning normally. Our message to Australians is there is no need to panic buy or to stockpile. We have the fuel that we need here in the country and coming to the country as supply chains would normally operate. We have enough fuel for everyone if people simply purchase what they need and use it as they normally would.

Industry groups agree. Across the country, they have been very clear and consistent about this. The National Farmers' Federation, the NRMA, local service stations and transport operators have all urged Australians to remain calm and avoid stockpiling fuel. They've made it clear that the issue is not supply but demand being driven by uncertainty—uncertainty that those opposite are using as an opportunity to make Australians afraid.

Our government is actively working with industry to manage these pressures and ensure supply chains move where they are needed. We're maintaining daily engagement with fuel suppliers and wholesalers. The minister has brought together fuel suppliers, fertiliser companies and agricultural peaks at a national roundtable to coordinate supply and respond quickly to emerging pressures in the supply chain. The National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee has already met to assess the situation and ensure that all states and territories are ready to respond should conditions change.

The truth is Australia is in a stronger position today than it was on any day under the former coalition government. Our government took action to strengthen Australia's fuel security. We implemented the minimum stockholding obligation—those opposite did not—to ensure fuel importers and refiners hold minimum amounts of petrol, diesel and jet fuel in Australia, which means it is stored here, not overseas like it was under those opposite, so Australians can access fuel when they need it.