Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

In addition to having the highest level of domestic supply in 15 years, the government is taking additional measures today, and they are as follows. The minister and the government are temporarily amending Australia's fuel quality standards to allow higher sulphur levels for the next 60 days. This will allow around 100 million litres a month of new supply that would otherwise have been exported to instead be blended into Australian domestic supply. In return, Ampol Australia has committed to ensure that this redirected supply will be prioritised for regions of shortage and for the wholesale spot market that supports independent distributors and harvesters. While Australian fuel consumption has not changed, this will help relieve pressure on distribution chains disrupted by elevated demand. That additional supply must help the people who need it, particularly farmers, fishers and regional communities.

I can also confirm that the national coordination mechanism will continue to convene to respond to emerging fuel supply chain issues. By bringing together all levels of government, the mechanism will work together on supply chain issues and bottlenecks and help facilitate action across Australia. This builds on a suite of measures and engagements with industry that have been occurring over the course of the conflict to secure supply and put downward pressure on fuel prices.

This is the way the government engages, a sensible, mature and Australian way, not a hyperpartisan way where you swing at every ball. We work our way through these issues with industry in a way that actually delivers for regional Australians. (Time expired)