Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Minister, can you confirm whether Australia has imported, in recent years, refined fuel products from countries that process Russian crude oil?

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

Thank you, Senator. I've answered this question before, and I've probably got a brief on it here, so I'll see how I go. What I've indicated previously is that both under our government and also under the coalition government, obviously, substantial bans were put in place in respect of the importation of Russian fuel. I know you have a different view about Ukraine and a different view about President Putin, and I fundamentally and substantially disagree with your position. We have sanctioned the importation of Russian fuel because we don't believe that it is a good thing to fuel the Russian war machine so they can kill more Ukrainian citizens in their attempt to take territory. I know you have a different view, Senator.

In terms of substantially transformed oil products, I indicated previously to the Senate on this that it is very difficult for countries to ascertain the original crude oil origin of all of the substantially transformed products that we import. We have encouraged supply chain disclosure and supply chain assurance from those who are importing from countries overseas where those products are refined.

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

Senator Babet, first supplementary?

Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. According to a report released last year by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Australia is the biggest buyer of Russian oil via Turkish and Indian refineries. Did your government grant a permit for these imports, or did you just look the other way?

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

Senator, I think I've just explained the policy technical problem to you. I've been upfront about that. I know, including with the Ukrainian community, you have raised this with me. There isn't a system of assurance in terms of what happens after Russian oil may have gone to different refineries and the products which might then come out of it in whatever proportion, but what we have done is engage with industry and encourage them to be transparent and to assure their supply chains, as much as they are able, to avoid contributing to Mr Putin's war machine.

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

Senator Babet, second supplementary?

Ralph Babet (Victoria, United Australia Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, is it time to admit that Australia, whether we like it or not, needs Russian oil? Is it in the national interest to permit the importation of all fuels even if the products originate from Russian crude that's processed in other countries? At the end of the day, it's about Australia's national interest first.

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

With respect, Senator Babet, your support for President Putin's regime is a disgrace.

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, Bruce Boss is a 72-year-old man in regional South Australia with kidney failure who must travel up to three times a week for dialysis. He says he has been forced to cut his budget to survival rations just to cope. With fuel scarce in parts of regional Australia, how is the government guaranteeing that Australians who rely on their cars for life-saving medical treatment can access fuel when and where they need it?

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

My thoughts are with Mr Boss and his management of his medical condition. It's a very difficult situation for him and for his family. I hope that the announcements that we have made today in relation to fuel excise and diesel excise will be of assistance to Mr Boss. I was trying to say in response to one of your colleagues that the cabinet did have the impact of elevated fuel prices on rural and regional Australia very front of mind, because, as you correctly point out, there are issues of price and supply. Fuel prices are elevated as a consequence of the impact on global energy markets.

What I'd also say in terms of supply is that we have done a number of things. Firstly, the government has begun releasing 20 per cent of the minimum stockholding obligations with a focus on regional Australia because of the supply issues that you identify. Secondly, we announced on Saturday that the EFA is underwriting the obtaining of additional supply. Finally, we will work with states, territories and also the distributors to try and deal with the distribution problems, which we absolutely understand are affecting Australians, particularly in regions.

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

Senator Liddle, first supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, Belinda Menzies from Beaudesert, Queensland and her family all live with significant health issues and are now cutting back on driving to medical appointments, because of the fuel crisis, saying that they fear a decline in their health. What immediate steps has the government taken to ensure that Australians are not forced to ration essential medical travel because fuel is either unaffordable or unavailable?

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

The government wants Ms Menzies and her family, just as we do with Mr Boss, to be able to access medical support. This is a Labor government. This is a government that has put more money and funding into Medicare than any previous government because health is such a priority for us and for the country. In terms of supply and price, I'd refer you to my earlier answer. We've sought to put more fuel into regional Australia through the release from the minimum stockholding obligations. We are seeking to obtain more fuel through underwriting private sector purchases of more fuel on the open market, and we are working with the private sector and states and territories to deal with distribution issues.

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

Senator Liddle, second supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know that hope and wanting don't necessarily do it, but can the government guarantee that, before Easter, Australians in regional communities will be able to both access fuel and rely on it being there when they need to get to critical medical appointments?

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

Again, the government is seeking to obtain more supply for regional areas, including through the releasing of 20 per cent of the minimum stockholding obligations. The government is seeking more fuel from overseas through underwriting private purchase, and we will work with states and territories on distribution. That is what we are doing. In addition to that, there's been a reduction in the excise, which I referred to earlier.