Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is also to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The ABC has reported that waste industry leaders across Australia, including the Waste Recycling Industry Association in my home state of Queensland, have warned Minister Bowen that hospitals, aged-care homes, supermarkets and households depend on continuous waste removal and that public health problems could begin within 48 hours if collections stop. They say being left off the priority fuel list is 'potentially catastrophic' because, if they cannot fuel their trucks, the rubbish does not get collected. Why did Labor leave this essential public health service off the priority fuel list?

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

Issues with fuel impact throughout our economy. There are first-round effects, and there are downstream effects. We know that our response of how we deal with what is happening in Iran has to reflect the impact that this crisis has on fuel throughout the economy. We are very aware of that. So what I would say to you, Senator, is that I can give you an assurance that the government is working through how we seek not only to obtain more supply where we can, to shore up supply as much as we can, but also to understand the effects of this global shock throughout our economy, including in the areas you have outlined.

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

Senator Scarr, first supplementary?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, these effects, as you call them, are being called 'potentially catastrophic'. Will the Labor government fix this today by adding waste collection to the priority fuel-user list immediately?

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

I'm obviously not the minister representing, but I will give you the answer that I can, Senator Scarr, and if I need to add to it I will. If you are referring to the determination that is current, it does only include ambulance services, corrective services, fire, rescue, police, public transport, state emergency services and taxi services. It was made in March 2019 by Mr Taylor. If this determination needs to be amended, obviously we will.

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

Senator Scarr, second supplementary?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, we're talking about a fuel crisis in 2026, not what the case was in 2019. How can Australians have confidence in this government's handling of the fuel crisis when it has become so bad that even keeping the bins emptied and rubbish collected is now in doubt?

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

Senator, again I would say to you that I have outlined in my answer to questions from Senator Dowling some of the measures we are taking. I have indicated to you that we recognise there are more measure that will need to be taken, and we will deal with that responsibly and soberly. We need to both deal with seeking to shore up supply—I've described how we are seeking to do that—but also recognise the ways in which any disruption to supply flows throughout the economy, including the industries you outlined. The government will be very cognisant of that.