Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Global energy markets remain disrupted due to the war in the Middle East. In response the Albanese Labor government has today announced measures to enable more fuel into the Australian market. Could the minister please explain this change in policy and outline how it will ease the pressure on the Australian fuel market?

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

In addition to having the highest level of domestic supply in 15 years, the government is taking additional measures today, and they are as follows. The minister and the government are temporarily amending Australia's fuel quality standards to allow higher sulphur levels for the next 60 days. This will allow around 100 million litres a month of new supply that would otherwise have been exported to instead be blended into Australian domestic supply. In return, Ampol Australia has committed to ensure that this redirected supply will be prioritised for regions of shortage and for the wholesale spot market that supports independent distributors and harvesters. While Australian fuel consumption has not changed, this will help relieve pressure on distribution chains disrupted by elevated demand. That additional supply must help the people who need it, particularly farmers, fishers and regional communities.

I can also confirm that the national coordination mechanism will continue to convene to respond to emerging fuel supply chain issues. By bringing together all levels of government, the mechanism will work together on supply chain issues and bottlenecks and help facilitate action across Australia. This builds on a suite of measures and engagements with industry that have been occurring over the course of the conflict to secure supply and put downward pressure on fuel prices.

This is the way the government engages, a sensible, mature and Australian way, not a hyperpartisan way where you swing at every ball. We work our way through these issues with industry in a way that actually delivers for regional Australians. (Time expired)

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

Senator Ghosh, first supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australian petrol prices have been rising in response to the disruption in international energy markets. How is the Albanese Labor government engaging with fuel importers, retailers and users, and what is the government doing to stop price gouging?

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

Thanks, Senator Ghosh. President, as I indicated earlier in the week, the government is supporting fuel wholesalers and retailers to get ACCC approval to coordinate supply and unlock bottlenecks. That measure is not allowed under the normal competitive arrangements, whereby companies are prohibited from that kind of engagement, but it ensures they can work together to supply places all over Australia, from Brisbane to the Bellarine, and ensures that our mechanism of working with industry to identify parts of Australia where there are problems will be effective.

We've doubled penalties for false or misleading conduct and cartel behaviour, and we've given the ACCC more tools, like extending petrol price monitoring powers.

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

Senator Ghosh—when you've quite finished, Senator Henderson!

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm very upset with these misleading comments.

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

Come to order, Senator Henderson! You can either sit in silence or leave the chamber. Your ongoing comments when I have called for order are incredibly disrespectful to me and this chamber. Senator Ghosh, second supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australians are looking to their political leaders to protect the national interest and provide clear and calm guidance. Why is it important to provide this leadership and guidance?

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

In an international challenge, or a challenge that faces Australia, it's important to act in the Australian national interest. We are not going to let this be a commercial opportunity, and I don't think Australians will let it be a political opportunity for the most hyperpartisan, bitter, divided and divisive opposition in Australian history. What will not help in this situation is continued spikes in demand. The Australian Institute of Petroleum has described that as 'unprecedented', outstripping the surge seen at the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.

We will do what it takes to protect Australia, and Australians will form judgements about this nasty, divided rabble over here who swing at every ball in the same way and then are surprised at the result, as Australians walk away from them, have another look at them again and walk away from them again. (Time expired)