Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, can you guarantee that Australia will not run out of fuel supplies?

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

Again, what I have said is that we will do all that we can to shield Australians from the worst of this global uncertainty. You are someone who does understand the global implications of this on the global economy, and you would know that this is a shock to global energy markets that we have not seen. You would understand the importance of us working together—government; the opposition, I would hope, though it's a matter for them; community; business; and the states and territories—to deal with the global circumstances that we are navigating, as all countries of the world are.

I also have great confidence in Australia and Australians' capacity to navigate these crises. If you look back at our history, whether it's the global financial crisis or COVID, you see that we are a country that has sound policy-making, the capacity to coordinate well between private and public sectors and the capacity for communities to be part of responding to changed circumstances. Again I would say we will do what is required and all that we can to shield Australians from the worst of this uncertainty.

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

Senator Colbeck, first supplementary?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, can you guarantee that Australians won't be forced to ration fuel supplies?

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

Matters of supply and also of distribution are matters that governments, including through the National Cabinet, are looking at and will continue to look at or act upon. We have acted upon supply measures. We will continue to look at practical measures. We will ensure that we work, through National Cabinet, with the states and territories and though the existing taskforce to look at what is required to deliver fuel to where it is needed, when it is needed.

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

Senator Colbeck, second supplementary?

Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, on what date will prices reduce to preconflict levels?

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

Senator Colbeck, I generally have more regard for you than that question would engender. You know, and everybody should know, that the reality of higher fuel prices is being felt across the world. This is being felt across the world. As the Treasurer has said recently, as has the Prime Minister, we also know that global markets will not go back to how they were prior to this conflict upon the conflict ending. There is a tail of effects throughout the global economy. You know that, Senator, and you also know that the way we have to deal with it is with the sorts of measures that you are seeing, including the legislation that's coming forward, and also by working to stabilise global energy markets and to look for the supply— (Time expired)