Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As we know, the federal budget delivered $10 billion for an Australian fuel security and resilience package that was introduced by the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, on Tuesday night. That is to ensure that we secure our energy sovereignty and boost national resilience. This also builds on the Albanese government's action to secure additional fuel and fertiliser supply, growing strategic reserves above the precrisis levels. The package will also establish a permanent, publicly owned Australian fuel security reserve of one billion litres, and a fuel and fertiliser security facility, increasing the supply and storage of diesel, aviation fuel and fertiliser. Crucially, these strategic reserves will be stored onshore in Australia, where they are needed, not on the other side of the world. The government will also increase the minimum stockholding obligation, ensuring at least 50 days of fuel supply and storage of diesel and aviation fuel.

Just last month, the fire at Viva Energy's Geelong oil refinery in Victoria highlighted the importance of Australia's fuel security and the value of strong workplace safety protections. Despite the seriousness of the fire, thankfully none of the workers on site were injured, and this is testament to the safety procedures, the training and the protocols that many people, particularly the Australian Workers' Union and the broader trade union movement, have won through decades of advocacy and collective action. I want to give a shout-out to the Victorian branch of the AWU for their cooperative work when that unfortunate fire occurred. I know many members and workers on site were thankful that there were no serious injuries.

The Geelong refinery has continued producing diesel and jet fuel at about 80 per cent of the regular capacity at the site and 60 per cent of petrol production, helping to minimise the disruption across the country. Viva Energy anticipates production will return to over 90 per cent of capacity next month, following further repairs. I applaud the refinery workers for keeping the refinery running and keeping our country moving. I want to say thank you very much from the Senate.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the strait continue to place significant pressure on global oil and refined liquid fuels. The Albanese government's Australian fuel security and resilience package will ensure that Australia is protected against future disruptions while supporting secure jobs, local refinery capability and safer workplaces.

On another note, I want to touch on defence. This year's budget delivers on the Albanese government's 2026 National Defence Strategy and 2026 Integrated Investment Program, expanding defence investment by $53 billion over the next decade. Defence investment will total $887 billion to 2035-36, funding major projects such as our nuclear powered submarine program through AUKUS.

But this investment is not only about national security. In Victoria, the defence manufacturing sector is turning this record investment into sovereign capability and securing many Australian jobs. In the past month alone, Melbourne companies SYPAQ Systems and Aim Defence, for instance, secured more than $31 million in federal funding contracts to develop counterdrone technology. These projects are moving advanced systems from research into real production, supporting highly skilled engineering, manufacturing and testing jobs in Victoria. In Bendigo, the government also committed $750 million for 268 new Bushmaster vehicles. In Geelong, the armoured vehicle centre of excellence at Avalon is already producing major land systems, including self-propelled artillery and infantry fighting vehicles. At peak production, these programs will support 2,100 jobs.

These investments are important. They're important because they form an integrated defence manufacturing network that is supported by suppliers across Victoria, from small businesses to major contractors. In fact, Victoria's defence industry contributes around $10.9 billion annually to our economy and supports over 29,000 workers. These figures will only continue to grow. Thank you for the work that you are doing, and I want to say it is important that we continue investing in our defence manufacturing.