Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. The Australian government has held four inquiries into our fuel reserves in the last seven years, all of which noted our fuel stockpile and refining capacity were insufficient to survive a supply shock. The concept of a reserve is simple: fill the reserve when the price is low and then access it when there's a shortage or high prices as we have now, guaranteeing fair prices and a functioning economy. We're going into a period of war with 25 days of diesel, 20 days of jet fuel and 26 days of petrol in the system. Minister, why has the Albanese government ignored all those reports and failed in its basic duty to protect our food and transport industries from international fuel shocks?

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

Let's just deal with the facts for a second and then get to the politics. We have fuel reserves—minimum stockholding obligations—of petrol, 150 per cent of our requirements; jet fuel, 134 per cent; and diesel, 116 per cent. The approach from the previous government—when Mr Morrison, Mr Turnbull and Mr Taylor were all in charge of this—was that Australia's national fuel reserves were to be held in Texas. I can tell you that Australia's fuel reserves are held here, in transport infrastructure and storage infrastructure around the country.

When Mr Taylor was in charge of our energy strategy—I think he was described by a former Liberal prime minister as Australia's best qualified idiot. What did the village of Nimmitabel do to deserve Mr Taylor as Nimmitabel's inimitable hereditary peer, as the country's sole remaining bunyip aristocrat. He was so lazy in his administration of the energy portfolio that he put our national stocks, he hoped, in Texas.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, the minister is impugning the motives of a member of the other place. I would ask him to withdraw those comments.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was listening carefully, Senator Henderson. He's not quite there yet, but I was going to remind him to be very mindful of his comments. Given that you've raised the point of order, I'll do that now. Minister Ayres, please be mindful of your comments.

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

It does strike me—in this time of conflict, when there is pressure on fuel security and supply chains around the world—that never before has it been more important that this government continue with the effort of securing our electricity system and extending, in particular, electric vehicles. That's one very important fuel security measure just by itself. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Roberts, first supplementary?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia consumes 5,400 megalitres of oil products a day, and we have the capacity to refine only 1,300 megalitres. Australia is exposed and unable to supply its transport needs. Once we run out of diesel, the trucks will stop. Food will stop being delivered and that social cohesion you often drone on about will break down. Minister, will you take responsibility for fuel price inflation and potential fuel rationing owing to your government's failure to run a proper fuel reserve? Don't give us uniparty excuses.

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

I don't want to drone on, but I will just point out that when the new Leader of the Opposition was the minister for energy four out of Australia's six petroleum refineries closed—under the last government. So don't pretend to be concerned about fuel security and vote with these characters. That is exactly the opposite of what should happen here. Four out of six of our petroleum refinery facilities closed under Mr Taylor's maladministration. Mr Turnbull, Mr Morrison and Mr Abbott made a complete mess of our energy policy settings. We are now holding more stocks of aviation fuel, petrol and diesel on land and in ports here in Australia than at any time in the last 15 years. That's the— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Roberts, second supplementary?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Overnight, Iran attacked three oil tankers. Media are reporting that tanker traffic has all but halted, with 150 to 200 oil and LNG tankers dropping anchor outside the Strait of Hormuz. Brisbane fuel prices are at $2.13 a litre in name-brand outlets. Minister, will your government now commit to a 90-day fuel reserve, a new fuel refinery, at least one gas-to-liquid plant, a domestic gas reservation for conversion to liquid fuels and no more uniparty excuses on behalf of your mates?

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

As I indicated, I can tell you what we are doing. We have more fuel security today than we've had for 15 years. We've committed to a national gas reservation scheme to shore up supply and place downward pressure on prices, particularly for Australian industry. We've published the Future Gas Strategy and introduced a mandatory gas code of conduct. We've strengthened and extended the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism, and we renewed it when the opposition failed to. We've granted additional licences. We are taking every step that could reasonably be taken. I point out, Senator, that it's a little bit odd to pretend to care about fuel security and then campaign against electric vehicles as a singular obsession. It's an odd thing to do. Australian energy from Australian resources going straight into Australian cars—what could be more Australian than that? (Time expired)