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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Yesterday, you said that you would find the information if you can about exactly what date the government became aware of the six shipments of vital fuel supplies being cancelled. It having been a further 24 hours, can you now tell us when the government became aware?

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

I should say as well that I'm advised by the minister's office in relation to that nine per cent figure that I used yesterday that the figure today is eight per cent, in relation to Senator Chandler's question. Since the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy has been in daily contact with relevant fuel companies, and they've been sharing with government commercial-in-confidence information, and, in turn, the government has been sharing what it knows with those companies. Over the last couple of weeks, companies have been telling the minister and the government that they've locked in supply until mid-April. What the government won't do is tweet out or release commercial-in-confidence information on a daily basis.

On Saturday, the minister spoke to industry representatives and asked his department to confirm the ships that have been cancelled. In a way that does not breach commercial-in-confidence, the minister provided the information in an aggregate way on Sunday's interview. The opposition could be, in this case—

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

A point of order on direct relevance. My question was when the government became aware of the six cancelled ships.

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

I'm aware of your question, Senator Henderson, and the minister is being directly relevant to your question.

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

As I've indicated, the information that we've provided is information that we believe is in the public interest in a way that doesn't breach the commercial-in-confidence obligations that the minister has in those discussions. And, as I've indicated, there are two ways that a party of opposition can conduct itself when there's a set of national challenges. One is to hector and to conduct a sort of hyperventilation and—

I think maybe the real grievance politics, Senator Paterson— (Time expired)

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

Senator Henderson, first supplementary?

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

Minister, this is not a matter of something being commercial in confidence; this is in the national interest. Yesterday, when asked whether any further fuel shipments had been contracted, you again said you would try to get that further information. It's been 24 hours. I, again, ask about when you learnt about the six cancelled shipments and whether any further shipments have been contracted. I, again, stress that this is a matter of national interest.

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

(—) (): Senator, I'd just refer you to my previous answer. As I said yesterday, if there's more information that we can provide about when information was provided—I did say, in my previous answer, that, on Saturday, the minister spoke to industry representatives and asked his department to confirm the ships that have been cancelled. But I do say there are two ways of conducting yourself as an opposition when there is a challenge. You can, as Senator Cash says, ask questions. You can provide positive solutions, or you can just continue to degenerate in the way that you have. You can continue to hyperventilate and you can continue to run a negative, carping and partisan campaign, or you can front up in the national interest. There's a first time for everything, I suppose. (Time expired)

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

Senator Henderson, second supplementary?

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

Minister, you have just declined to tell this Senate whether any other shipments have been contracted to replace those that have been cancelled. I would put to you that that is a national disgrace. On the basis that you are refusing to provide that information, please explain to Australians why they are not entitled to that information and, on that basis, how many more days supply Australia currently has.

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

Senator, that is—

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

Senator O'Neill?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There was an imputation of motive that was embedded in that question.

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

Is there a point of order?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is that the senator should withdraw imputation of motive.

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

Senator O'Neill, I did not hear what was said. I don't know which senator you're referring to. I will seek advice from the clerk, but I'm not sure what I can do here. Senator Henderson?

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

On the point of order—I was asking a question about reiterating the importance of the national interest. The minister is the responsible minister in the Senate.

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

Senator O'Neill thinks an imputation was made. I didn't hear it. The clerk didn't hear it. I am going to invite Senator Henderson, in the interests of the chamber—not on a point of order but in the interests of the chamber—if she thinks she said something—

Excuse me, Senator McKenzie! I believe that I'm speaking. My role in this chamber is to make sure debate is respectful, and it's always challenging at question time. I'm not asking for a withdrawal. I'm simply asking that, in the interests of the chamber, if Senator Henderson thinks anything she said was untoward, she withdraw.

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

I'm very happy to rephrase the question to assist the chamber.

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

No. I've asked you to withdraw.

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

You said that you didn't hear what I said.

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

Senator Henderson, you are not in a debate with me. I'm well aware of what the question is. Senator O'Neill stood and suggested there was an imputation. I've simply said that, if you believe there was an imputation, in the interests of the chamber, you can withdraw it. But it is up to you. I don't need the question repeated. If you want to withdraw, you can. If you don't want to, I will call the minister.

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

What I can report is that, in terms of petrol, on 3 March there were 36 days; on 10 March, prior to the minimum stockholding obligation release, there were 37 days; and on 17 March, the most recent figures I have, there are 38 days. That's in relation to unleaded petrol. In relation to jet fuel, there were 29 days on 3 March, 29 days on 10 March—that was prior to the MSO release—and 30 days on 17 March. In relation to diesel, there were 32 days on 3 March, 30 on 10 March and 30 on 17 March. In addition to that, the minister made a fresh announcement today about changing standards in relation to diesel that will free up more diesel in the system. If I get an opportunity to answer another question on this topic, I'll be delighted to help. (Time expired)