Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. On 4 March, you told this Senate that warnings about fuel shortages were 'far-right extremist scaremongering' and that there was 'no need' for Australians to be concerned. Last sitting week, you told the Senate:

There is not a supply problem … there is some unusual demand behaviour.

Since then, six fuel shipments have been cancelled, Mr Bowen has conceded that there will be bumps in supply, and some Australians are paying over $3 a litre at the bowser. Minister, you were wrong, and Australians are now paying a very steep price for it. Will you now apologise for dismissing a real fuel crisis as far-right extremist scaremongering?

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

Well, that is an extraordinary question that just shows, I think the total lack of self-reflection and insight that there is amongst the Liberals and Nationals and their friends in One Nation. The parties that in government closed four out of six of our refineries now have wandered through and discovered the forest of sovereign capability and are discovering these new trees just for the first time.

The point that I made in week 1 and week 2 of this was that there are some people in Australian politics who see a national challenge and see only a partisan opportunity for themselves. That is what they see, and the thing is that they do it over and over and over again. Every time they see a challenge, no matter what it is, it is the same behaviour that is exhibited. It is hyperventilating, hyperpartisan behaviour from those opposite, and it always ends in the same result.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Minister Ayres, please resume your seat. There needs to be order. Minister Ayres, please continue.

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

It always ends in the same result: getting smaller and smaller and smaller. That is what happens.

As for this government, what have we done? We have implemented minimum stockholding obligations that are the strongest in 15 years. We have empowered the ACCC to have stronger penalties on price gouging. We have appointed a coordinator-general, undertaking practical action— (Time expired)

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

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, why did the Albanese government treat the Australian people with such contempt by spending weeks denying there was a fuel supply crisis in Australia when all Australians could see that there was a problem?

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

I would argue that the kind of behaviour that you have all engaged in, that incapacity to act in the national interest when there is a national challenge, is treating Australians like mugs. And the truth is Australians do not like being treated like mugs by the Liberals and Nationals, who only focus on two things. The first is the fact that they despise each other. And the second is a hyperpartisan response to every challenge that engages all of their interests, both internationally and here in Australia. It's all you've been capable of. Australians are seeing through that behaviour—that imported ideology of exporting jobs. Your track record— (Time expired)

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

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, I can tell you right now it's not a hyperpartisan response to go in to bat for the Australian people who are suffering under this government and your failure to properly manage the full crisis in Australia. Will you now apologise to the Australian people for your government's gross mismanagement of the fuel crisis, which they are now paying dearly for?

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

Senator Cash just makes my case. The idea that your—when I say 'your' I mean it collectively—behaviour in relation to this set of national challenges is anything but contemptuous—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, Senator Cash has interjected throughout the entire set of answers. I have left it until the last set, but I would ask her, if she possibly could, to desist.

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

Senator Cash, as you know, it's my way to allow leaders some leverage, but you have overstepped the mark, so I ask you to please listen quietly.

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

The truth is that a respectful and in-the-national-interest response is precisely what this government has done. We have taken action over time—not just in the last five minutes but over time—to increase national resilience. We have moved to appoint a coordinator general.

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

Senator Henderson, you have been constantly interjecting—

And now, Senator McKenzie, you have joined in.

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

We have undertaken all this practical action. The alternative of what Mr Taylor and Senator Canavan led over the miserable period that they were in government on these questions was shameful, against the national interest and a hands-off-the-wheel approach that made Australia weaker. (Time expired)