Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Australians have been let down by this government, and Australians are hurting because of this government's flat-footedness when it comes to our latest crisis, which, of course, is amidst a cost-of-living crisis and a housing crisis—all situations, sadly, that this government has done nothing about. Australians have been left hanging in the breeze when it comes to the latest cost-of living issue, and that is the fuel crisis, of course, where the government was caught flat-footed on an issue that anyone else would have seen coming. When we saw other nations putting in place measures to deal with what could possibly be about to happen in the Middle East, we stood idly by. So here we are.

In the last sitting fortnight, colleagues will remember, we had ministers telling this chamber that there was nothing to worry about—that we had everything under control and any suggestion there was a fuel crisis in this country was sheer scaremongering and right-wing extremist misinformation. Well, here we are today, and the government have admitted that there is a fuel crisis underway. But, sadly, this government have lost control, and, as a result of the inaction and ill-preparedness, Australians are the ones paying the price.

Just to check on how fuel prices are going in my home state of Tasmania: in downtown Hobart, you're paying $3.23 a litre for diesel. These are prices that we have not seen for some time and which Australians just cannot afford to sustain.

So, if the government is in control of this situation, if the government does have a plan, it's about time we heard about it. Can the government guarantee there won't be fuel rationing? Can it guarantee that there won't be a lack of supply coming into this country, or, indeed, that we won't run out? Can it guarantee that fuel prices will be reduced? These are the questions Australians are asking. If the government can't provide answers to those questions then, again, it is proof positive this government has let Australians down, as it has with the cost of living generally and with housing. It is not up to the job. (Time expired)