Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Madam President, for those congratulations. My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Ripple Creek Transport, a Townsville based business, has reported being hit with a 60 per cent increase in fuel prices. Many truckies cannot pass on these costs, and they then have to suffer with the higher costs of doing business. What practical action has the government taken to protect Ripple Creek Transport from fuel price gouging?

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

Thank you, Senator Canavan, and congratulations as well for this morning's elevation. I can tell you that, alongside the measures that have been undertaken by this government in the long term—that is, engaging the fuel security measures that you and I have discussed over the last few days—we announced, just a little while ago, that the government will double penalties for false or misleading conduct and cartel behaviour, to a maximum of $100 million per offence for that kind of conduct, across the economy. We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel monitoring, reporting weekly with a focus on unusual price spikes.

As consumers will see, petrol stations have moved very fast to adjust for increases in prices for international crude oil. I want to make sure that those price rises are consistent with their obligations, but I also want to see price falls occur when and if international crude prices fall. We're working with industry to increase fuel supply to service stations, including by helping the fuel sector secure ACCC authorisation to coordinate supply and to unlock bottlenecks, removing that constraint in relation to that kind of activity. Those measures are in addition to the substantial action that we've already taken on fuel prices.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Different tone from yesterday, isn't it!

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

Well, it's a better question, Senator McKenzie. It's a better question. I have been talking to industry, and to—

Opposition senators interjecting—

He'll get another go— (Time expired)

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

Senator Canavan, first supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

FlyPelican airline has been advised by their fuel supplier that their fuel costs will be going up 70c a litre effective immediately. Such an increase, if able to be passed on, would force airline ticket costs up by $30 to $40 a passenger. Again, what practical action has the government taken over the past week to protect regional airline passengers from price spikes due to fuel gouging?

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

It's certainly the case that airline ticket prices in some circumstances are significantly elevated. This is an unlooked-for international crisis. Nobody wants to see what is happening in the Middle East and its impact on fuel suppliers. The measures that Australia has taken, led by the Albanese government, to impose the minimum stockholding obligations mean that today we are more fuel secure—not complacent but more fuel secure—than we have been for 15 years. The measures that I just outlined to you, taken today, on top of the other measures being taken by the government— (Time expired)

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

Senator Canavan, second supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the issues facing our trucking industry and our aviation industry, how many businesses is the ACCC currently investigating for fuel price gouging, and has the government joined with other countries overnight to ask the International Energy Agency for an emergency oil release from global stockpiles?

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

It is good, Senator Canavan, to see that your question indicates the National Party now understands the difference between our IEA obligations and minimum stockholding obligations. That is a good thing, because it might improve the kind of information that is being conveyed by members of the National Party, and in particular Queensland Liberal National Party MPs, to the Australian public.

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

Senator Canavan, on a point of order?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance, there are 30 seconds left; it's a very detailed question. I think people would love to just have an answer. The minister can engage in commentary in other places, but this is to answer questions.

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

Thanks, Senator Canavan. I'll draw the minister—

Senator McKenzie, I'm not listening to you interject—

Senator McKenzie, I am speaking! You are being incredibly disrespectful. I'm not listening to you interject for the remainder of question time.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It can't be helped.

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

It can be helped. I will take your interjection. You can either sit here silently or leave the chamber. I don't want to be forced into a position where I have to name you, but that is where it's heading. Every single day, you interject for nearly the whole time. Minister Ayres, I do need you to direct your answers to the question.

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

I don't think it's possible for me to answer your question in relation to the number of ACCC investigations that are occurring, but if I can come back to you I will. On the IEA question, that is not something that I believe that I can report to the Senate at this stage, but more information will be provided. It is good to see you as the leader of the National Party. It is good to see Senator McKenzie as the leader of the National Party here and Senator McDonald as the deputy leader of the National Party. I just wonder what it is—the painters and dockers couldn't create a job creation scheme as elaborate as that.

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

Thank you, Minister Ayres.