Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor 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 war in the Middle East is a major shock to global energy markets. In response, the Albanese Labor government is taking action to make sure fuel gets to where it's needed, particularly focusing on regional petrol stations and agricultural and maritime businesses. Can the minister outline what the government has done to ensure Australian households and businesses remain well supplied with fuel?

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

Thanks, Senator Grogan, for that question. Of course, the Albanese government is intervening to make sure that fuel gets to where it is needed and that we cushion Australians from the worst of the price shock. This is an international crisis, not a commercial opportunity or a partisan opportunity at Australians' expense. That's why we, as a government, made the necessary decision to release 762 million additional litres of petrol and diesel from our national stockholding, with the additional fuel squarely directed to farmers and regional communities. That's why we've temporarily lowered fuel standards, allowing an extra 100 million litres a month to be used here rather than exported.

While I'm on the subject of that fuel, I was interested to see Mr Taylor on Saturday say:

Australia is exporting fuel because of regulation brought forward by him—

I assume he means Mr Bowen—

because of his emissions obsession …

The thing about running a hyperpartisan campaign is it's probably good if you get the facts right. It's probably good if you get the facts right. Viva does not export fuel. Ampol's only exports are now redirected to Australia after this government made the sulphur change. This government made the change. Mr Taylor misrepresented the facts on Saturday, when it was plainly obvious through the government's actions that we had made the difficult but necessary decision to do that. If you're going to run a scare campaign, you might as well try and run an honest scare campaign rather than a dishonest scare campaign, which is what has been perpetrated by this lot and their fellow travellers.

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

Senator Grogan, first supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's good to hear, from Senator Ayres. The Albanese Labor government has said that consumers must not suffer from unfair fuel pricing because of this conflict in the Middle East. What is the government doing to protect Australian households and businesses from fuel price gouging?

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

I thank Senator Grogan for that question as well. We're cracking down on petrol price gouging. While the ACCC is allowing the major fuel suppliers to coordinate their activity to get fuel to the parts of the country and to businesses that are facing shortages, it doesn't mean that they can jointly agree on prices or share information about prices. In fact we have doubled penalties up to $100 million for false or misleading conduct and for cartel behaviour.

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

Minister Ayres, please resume your seat.

Senator McKim! If I sit the minister down, the obvious response from senators is to not continue to interject. Senator McKenzie, you have constantly interjected. Minister Ayres, please continue.

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

We are cracking down on price gouging, providing the ACCC with the right powers and amending their approach. They have opened an investigation, for example, into diesel availability in regional Australia. This is an opportunity and a necessity for Australians to work together to deliver the right outcome—in particular, for our farmers and regional businesses. (Time expired)

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

Order! Perhaps, Senator Shoebridge and Senator McKenzie, you would like to step outside the chamber and continue your rude and disrespectful interjections somewhere else. Senator Grogan, second supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Some parts of the community have suggested that the government should prioritise drilling for oil as a response to this energy shock. Why has the government not chosen to take this approach?

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

We've not chosen this approach, because it would do nothing for Australian fuel security. I notice Senator Canavan made an announcement just before the South Australian election. I'm sure they said, 'Thanks, Matt.' The truth is that, just like with the bogus Collinsville coal-fired power station, Senator Canavan is full of it on this question. When he was in charge, he issued exploration licences for the Great Australian Bight, which did nothing but drive down the Liberal vote in South Australia. It achieved zero in fuel security terms. Equinor said, after they had given up their licence, that it was not commercially viable. Yet Senator Canavan runs this hoax of a campaign which is fundamentally dishonest. (Time expired)