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

Service stations have hiked fuel prices by up to 60c a litre after conflict erupted again in the Middle East. Australians are feeling the pain of the pump, and successive Liberal and Labor governments have left the nation exposed. Under International Energy Agency guidelines, Australia should hold 90 days of oil reserves. Combined onshore and offshore, we have just 50 days. Onshore, there are only 25 days of diesel, 26 days of petrol and just 20 days of jet fuel. Despite this, Energy Minister Chris Bowen claimed this week that Australia's fuel supplies are in good stock. What nonsense! Our fuel security is in terrible condition. If global supply is cut, the country would grind to a halt in three weeks.

The government is desperate to avoid scrutiny of its failures. That's why Labor and the Greens combined to shut down One Nation's inquiry into Australia's fuel reserves and refining. Only two refineries remain: Brisbane and Geelong. Net zero policies have made domestic refining too expensive. Scrap net zero and Australia will refine its own fuel again.

Minister Bowen also told Australians that there is no need to rush to the service station, showing how out of touch Labor is. Interest rates are rising, groceries cost more every week and households are going broke. Minister Bowen has no idea and is out of his depth. His message was that there is no urgency. Australians are now paying up to 60c a litre more, and it could get worse. The government collects 51.6c per litre in fuel excise. One Nation was elected on a policy to halve that tax, cutting 26c a litre immediately, with compensation for any truckies and farmers losing rebates. The Morrison government took our advice in 2022 for six months but didn't look after truckies and farmers. It's time for the Albanese government to do the same and deliver cheaper fuel for Australians in 2026.