James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Hansard source

Australians are burdened with a weak prime minister, a weaker energy minister and sadly a fibbing Labor government. We're in the middle of a fuel crisis, and what we've been seeing from Mr Albanese is simply not good enough. In fact, it's tragic and it's an insult to the hardworking Australians who are suffering as a result. Labor have no plan and no urgency and exhibit no leadership. Mr Albanese has been blaming consumers for filling up their cars. That's if they're lucky to find a petrol station which actually has the product. But what has Mr Albanese recommended instead? Buy a Chinese made electric vehicle—it's a joke.

We may not control events overseas, but we can control how we respond at home. Hundreds of service stations across the country remain dry. Farmers can't run their machinery, supply chains are broken, parents can't take the kids to school, and people can't get to work. When fuel is available, Australians are being slugged at the browser. The average fuel price is approaching $2.50 a litre, and, if you fill up the car with diesel, it is over $3.

For weeks, the coalition has been calling for immediate relief and the halving of the fuel excise tax. We did it when in government when the Ukrainian war broke out, and Labor should have done it earlier. Only today, after our ongoing pressure, has Labor caved and done some things to support Australians. But Easter is just days away. Families, regional communities and tourism operators need certainty and relief now, not a prime minister who is wombling around the country, in and out of his electric vehicle Comcar, failing to make decisions. Australians deserve better.