Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The cost of jet fuel has increased in the past 14 days, up by 90c per litre. For bulk suppliers, this means about a 70 per cent increase in fuel price. Prices vary, but bulk fuel is about $1.70 per litre nearer major depots and up to $2.40 in remote areas. What is the Prime Minister's plan for managing a jet fuel, or AVGAS, shortage, and how is this to be communicated?

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

Jet fuel is, obviously, one of the areas that we have been focused on. I think Minister Bowen has spoken about this previously. We have an effect on Australian markets as a consequence of the effect on global markets. It's probably the largest energy shock in many decades, and that conflict is placing pressure on supply chains across the economy. It is placing pressure on a number of liquid fuels. The government is doing a number of things. The first is, obviously, to continue to engage with international partners, continue to engage with industry and continue to look to secure alternative supplies. I refer you to my earlier answers, in response to your colleagues, about the announcements the government has made over the last few days.

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

Senator McKenzie, first supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's a very disappointing answer. The fire season has abruptly stopped in many places but aviation fuels are a key part of responding to floods, such as the impact of Cyclone Narelle. Is there sufficient aviation fuel in the system to manage Australia's response to emergencies like Cyclone Narelle without stopping supply to agriculture or to transport aviation?

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

I, again, indicate to you that we are working to secure supply in global markets and through our engagement with partners. You have seen that occur over these last weeks, with both myself and the Prime Minister, with international partners who are our major suppliers of a range of liquid fuels.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order on direct relevance. In the previous answer I allowed the minister a lot of leeway.

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

Senator McKenzie, we've moved on.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They either have the supply onshore, and know where it is, or they don't.

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

Senator McKenzie, resume your seat. It's not a time for a very long point of order.

You're not in a debate with me. You've asked about a point of order. The minister is being relevant. I will continue to listen carefully. Minister Wong.

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

The senator would be aware, I would hope, that jet fuel is one of the liquid fuels subject to the minimum stockholding obligation and that, at the moment, as I understand it—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! The question has been asked. I am listening carefully to the answer. Minister Wong, do you wish to continue?

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

As I was trying to explain—and I think you were part of a government that said it was moving to the MSO—the minimum stockholding obligation is the mechanism by which we ensure fuel is held, to deal with the supply constraint concerns that you are raising. The advice I have, and I'll come back and add further information if I'm wrong, is that we have in excess— (Time expired)

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

Senator McKenzie, second supplementary?

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Winter planting for crops in many areas is about to start, which would usually mean an increase in aerial work. What is the Prime Minister doing to ensure that the agriculture sector will be supported and that there will be no disruption to critical aerial operations due to aviation fuel shortages during peak planting season?

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

As I was trying to respond when I ran out of time, jet fuel is one of the liquid fuels subject to the minimum stockholding obligation, and the government continues to work to ensure that more supply arrives in Australia, including through engagement with global partners. The fuel plan that the Prime Minister announced earlier goes to the ways in which we will work with states and territories to address this, including in relation to jet fuel.