Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

As usual, we have the continuation of misinformation and disinformation which is a speciality from those opposite. We've heard a contribution in the chamber today about how the confusion that's been caused in the community was because there wasn't enough information from the government in relation to the supply and security of fuel, which is completely wrong. But I have to say that those opposite specialise, as I said, in misinformation and disinformation. They never miss an opportunity to make political points, no matter whether it's this crisis we're in now, with the increasing price of fuel, which is being caused by a war in the Middle East, or whether it's a visiting dignitary. The Liberals will never miss an opportunity to play politics. That's the reality of it.

We have been listening—and we know because we're in the community all the time—in relation to the concerns in the community about whether or not they've got access, the price of fuel that has been increasing and the impact that it's having on farmers. Of course we want to assist farmers. The reality is that, without the farmers' being able to put in and grow the crops that they need to keep the supply train moving along—but then today, when we spoke about legislation that is assisting truckies, none of them actually talked about truckies and what they do for this country.

We introduced the ACCC legislation to crack down on price gouging. They wanted that brought in urgently within the House of Reps, and what did they do? They did what they normally do and they said no. They voted against it. Talk about hypocrites! I do appreciate Senator O'Neill's contribution for reminding us all that it was Mr Angus Taylor that was the energy minister at the time when two of those refineries, of the four, closed down. It was him! Then, 'Oh, yes, where are we going to have the fuel?'—Texas of all places. I just wonder what Mr Hastie would say about that. How long is it going to be before he takes over? One might say, after Sunday's contribution on Insiders, when is he going to make his move against Mr Taylor?

Let's get the facts on the record, because they don't like the facts. It is the Prime Minister who has called now two National Cabinet meetings—today and the second one was held. What they've done in consultation with states and territories is halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months. That's what they've done in consultation, because this is impacting the entire country. So we do it in a very considered way after consulting not only the premiers and first ministers but also the industry. We are putting things in place, as I said.

Now, 29 c a litre of that cost when you go and fill up your car is going to have a big impact on families. It will save you $19. That's a very good first step, but let me just remind people that what is happening now is because of what is happening in the Middle East. We have been impacted. That's not our doing, but what we have done is take the steps that were needed to support Australians, and we will continue to do that. I've seen that in Tasmania. They've actually given free public transport to Tasmanians for three months—a very good thing to do, unusual for a Liberal government. Nevertheless, what I'd like them to do is remember the taxi industry—those taxis who are supporting people with disabilities in my home state to make sure they're not left high and dry. So I will give credit where credit is due. (Time expired)