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 Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Easter long weekend begins in four days. It is the busiest road travel period of the year, with many Australians wanting to drive hundreds and hundreds of kilometres but worried that, if they do, the bowsers will be dry along the way. Regional communities, tourism operators and travelling families all depend on fuel being available. Treasurer Jim Chalmers is telling Australians to go ahead with their Easter holiday plans, even as more than 870 service stations have run dry or are missing at least one type of fuel. Will the Prime Minister guarantee that he will get fuel to those empty pumps before Good Friday?

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

As you know, President—through you to Senator Cash—the Prime Minister has held a National Cabinet today to deal with the fuel supply and supply chain issues which are impacting our economy. I will come to some of the announcements made which go to the response to Senator Cash.

I would start by saying first that the conflict in the Middle East represents an unprecedented shock to energy markets, and, the longer it goes, the more significant its impacts are here in our economy but also in the global economy. The National Cabinet today agreed to a national fuel security plan for governments to work together to keep Australia open and the economy moving. The Prime Minister went to that plan in his announcement today, and he explained that there are four levels in this plan. We are currently at level 2, which is—

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

Senator Cash?

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

I have a point of order in relation to relevance. The plan may be the plan, but I'm more interested in Good Friday—four days away.

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

The minister is being relevant to your question. Minister Wong, please continue.

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

The ongoing supply distribution and supply chain impacts of international of the conflict in the Middle East are precisely what the plan is responding to. What I was about say is that we are currently at level 2 to keep Australia moving, but there is also the capacity to go to levels 3 and 4. I'll come to those in the future. The plan is designed to keep the community and business updated. It is designed also to ensure that there's a consistent response across the Commonwealth, states and territories. It reflects the fact—and this does go to your question, Senator Cash—

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

Senator Cash?

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

In the final 17 seconds, it is a point on direct relevance. Is the fuel going to get there by Good Friday?

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

Thank you, Senator Cash. Minister Wong.

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

I again say that responsibilities in relation to fuel go across different levels of government and also industry partners. The commitment from the Prime Minister and all first ministers is that we will work together to deliver for the community and to keep the economy moving for everyone.

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

Minister Cash, first supplementary?

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

The Prime Minister has been forced to adopt Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan's policy to halve the fuel tanks. Will the Prime Minister guarantee that the fuel excise cut is passed through to motorists in full before the weekend—that is Easter—particularly in regional and outer suburban areas where families have no choice but to drive?

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

It should be passed on in full. I think the Prime Minister and the Treasurer were asked this very question in the press conference just now, and the Treasurer spoke about the additional powers that the ACCC has, and will and should utilise, in the event that petrol stations do not pass this reduction in excise through at the bowser.

In relation to rural and regional Australia, again, I think the Prime Minister and the Treasurer both spoke about the fact that one of the things that the Cabinet had very front of mind in making this decision was the impact on regional and rural Australia. As you say, it's correct that they often don't have the choice—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash?

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

President, again it's relevance. I want to know about the government's plan for four days time—by Good Friday, when people are driving.

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

Thank you, Senator Cash. The minister is being directly relevant to your question. Minister Wong.

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

I'm surprised you don't want to talk about rural and regional Australia, Senator Cash, which was part of your question. That's what I was responding to. What I was trying to say before the relevance point interrupted is that we had very front of mind the impact on rural and regional— (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

Given that there's more fuel in the economy or circulating in the economy than prior to the war beginning, what is the Prime Minister's plan to get the fuel to those empty pumps before Good Friday?

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

National Cabinet met today and adopted a National Fuel Security Plan. The distribution of fuel is one of the elements, but not the only moment, that we are dealing with as the impact of this global energy shock goes throughout our economy. We are dealing with that. We are dealing with supply. We are dealing with the effect on many other supply chains in the economy. And we know that this requires a—perhaps not unprecedented, because we've seen Australia respond before—high level of coordination between state and territory governments and the Commonwealth, and that's what you are seeing.

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Cash?

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

A point of order on relevance: you've had five weeks; what is your plan to get the fuel there by Friday?

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

Thank you, Senator Cash. The minister has just indicated that she's finished her answer.

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Today the Prime Minister announced that National Cabinet agreed to the National Fuel Security Plan to coordinate a consistent response across the country in response to the energy supply shock driven by conflict in the Middle East. How is the Albanese government working with states and territories to ensure Australia's critical fuel security?

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

As you said, Iran's weaponisation of the Strait is causing an unprecedented shock to global oil and gas supply. I've spoken about this for some time. It is obviously impacting energy markets and fuel prices worldwide, and this is pushing up fuel prices in our economy for consumers and businesses. The difficult fact is that, as the conflict goes on and the longer it goes on, the worse the impact will be for Australian and for the world.

The global outlook remains unpredictable and volatile, and it is the responsibility of all governments across Australia to plan for every scenario. That is why today National Cabinet agreed to the National Fuel Security Plan to coordinate a consistent response across the Commonwealth, states and territories, working together through these challenges, step by step, with a comprehensive and staged approach. We recognise the importance of fuel, not only to our economy but to the Australian way of life, and we are committed to keeping Australia open and keeping the economy going. The National Fuel Security Plan will keep the community and businesses updated. It will provide early understanding of fuel security and provide early understanding of fuel security measures that may be required.

Early voluntary action, coupled with new supply measures, can reduce the need for stronger measures in the future. We encourage Australians to use only the fuel you need and to make voluntary choices to use less and avoid the impact of higher fuel prices. I note that some states have taken action to reduce public transport fares as well. Obviously the less fuel that is used in Australia's cities the more that can be directed to regional areas which are under pressure. Every Australian can play our part in making sure fuel gets to those who need it most.

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

Senator Ghosh, first supplementary.

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, you've indicated that the National Fuel Security Plan is comprehensive and involves a staged approach to ensuring that the Commonwealth and states and territories work together to secure Australia's fuel supply. What are the levels outlined in the plan? And why is a comprehensive and staged approach so important?

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

Thank you, Senator Ghosh, and you're right: a comprehensive and staged plan is important. It's the responsible thing to do. Our collective approach to fuel security through the National Fuel Security Plan is guided by four levels of response. The first—plan and prepare—is what the government has been doing. We are now at level 2—keeping Australia moving—and this involves the government taking precautionary action to shore up fuel supply, like our plan to underwrite the purchase of fuel by the private sector, to give private suppliers confidence to secure additional cargoes and to help boost supply into Australia. Levels 3 and 4—taking targeted action and protecting critical services—would occur due to ongoing supply disruptions and see a more targeted focus on getting fuel to where it is most needed. Australians can be confident that the government has a plan to deal with whatever comes at us at all levels.

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

Senator Ghosh, second supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government has been taking immediate action, while also planning ahead, to shield Australians from the impact of global energy supply shocks. Why is it important that governments and all Australians work together to face this challenge?

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

Our government has taken early action on supply and continues to act to support Australians, and, today, we have announced halving the fuel excise on petrol and on diesel for three months. The halving of the excise will reduce the cost of fuel by 26.3c per litre. States and territories are also working on a proposal to ensure they will not benefit from the elevated prices that are occurring flowing through to the GST take. We are making fuel cheaper today because we understand Australians are under serious pressure. Our government will also reduce the heavy-vehicle road user charge to zero for three months, to help truckies continue their vital work for our nation. And, today, we have introduced legislation for the government to underwrite the purchase of fuel by the private actor. I want to acknowledge the constructive response from state and territory governments working as one, which is what Australians expect of their political leaders.