Josh Dolega (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Global energy markets and supply chains have been significantly disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. In response, the Albanese Labor government has been focused on ensuring Australia's fuel security. Minister, what actions has the government taken to shield Australians from the worst impacts of the conflict?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Dolega. I'd just like to take a moment to acknowledge the young worker union members from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association of Australia who've come to talk to us about their experience working in retail all over Australia.

From the outset of the war in the Middle East, this government has worked hard to shield Australians from its worst impacts. Although the conflict is on the other side of the world, the impacts have been felt here in terms of prices and supply. However, since 28 February, we have seen in Australia an increase in the amount of fuel that is available to Australians before the conflict.

On Saturday, Minister Bowen outlined that Australia has 44 days worth of petrol, which is eight days more than when the conflict began; 39 days worth of diesel, seven days more than 28 February; and 32 days worth of jet fuel, three days more than 28 February. In the last week we have reached the highest level of fuel held in Australia since the minimum stockholding obligation came into force in 2023. Fifty-one ships are on the way to Australia, and 3.9 billion litres of fuel is contracted to be delivered here over the next four weeks.

They're very quiet over there. When the war started, what these characters were on about was sowing division and trying to create fear in the community. But can anybody imagine that Mr Taylor or Mr Canavan or any of these people could have ever picked up the phone and delivered a litre of fuel, let alone shiploads of fuel, or delivered a litre of diesel, let alone shiploads of diesel for Australian farmers and Australian industries?

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

Senator Dolega, first supplementary?

Josh Dolega (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for waking them up. Earlier this year, the Albanese Labor government passed laws to ensure that Australia was able to secure additional supplies of fuel and fertiliser. Minister, how has the government used these laws to secure the fuel and fertiliser Australia needs for this uncertain time?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Dolega. On Saturday, the Prime Minister announced that Export Finance Australia has secured, jointly with the private sector, an additional 50 million litres of diesel. That shipment is now headed for Port Botany. Yesterday, a shipment of urea docked in Brisbane. And I want to thank the Indonesian government, on behalf of the farmers of Australia and the government of Australia, for their efforts in assisting us to secure that supply. Through Export Finance Australia, we've now secured a total of 800 million litres of diesel, 155 million litres of jet fuel and 340,000 tonnes of fertiliser, using every lever at our disposal in the national interest to deliver real change for Australia and good outcomes for Australian industry.

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

Senator Dolega, second supplementary?

Josh Dolega (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is securing Australia's energy security because it's vital for our national resilience. How does this year's budget further strengthen fuel security?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) | Link to this | Hansard source

We're focused on, of course, the immediate challenges, but we're also focused on delivering real change for Australia in the national interest and in the interests of our future energy resilience. That's why there was a $14.8 billion package for fuel security and cost-of-living relief in the budget, with a central commitment of $3.2 billion for a strategic fuel reserve owned by the government for Australians. It's been welcomed by GrainGrowers, the National Farmers' Federation and the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association. I'll tell you who hasn't welcomed it: Mr Taylor. Mr Taylor, like Mr Morrison without the charm or the charisma, in the do-nothing brigade, did more to damage Australia's energy security when he was the energy minister than any other living person, and now he wants to say no to the sensible measures that this government's undertaking in the national economic interest. (Time expired)