Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. The conflict in the Middle East has resulted in extreme volatility in global fossil-fuel markets and supply chains. In response, the Albanese Labor government has been focused on ensuring Australia's fuel, energy and fertiliser security. How has the Albanese Labor government acted to ensure that Australian households and businesses are shielded from this volatility?

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

Thank you, Senator O'Neill. On indulgence, I just want to welcome to the Senate my nieces, Abigail and Sophie, who've come down from Brisbane to visit the parliament and watch their uncle's excellent behaviour in this place.

This conflict in the Middle East has had very challenging impacts for Australians. It's been unwelcome, of course, for those living in the region but in particular for Australia's farmers, our freight companies, our logistics, and it's pushing up prices for businesses and for households. That's why we have been working so hard as a government to secure Australia's fuel and fertiliser.

On Saturday, Minister Bowen once again confirmed that we have more fuel now than when the conflict began. That is a remarkable Australian achievement. I remember what the responses of the government and the three right-wing parties were. In stark contrast, when war struck in the Middle East, the three right-wing parties got to Instagram and tried to frighten Australians, but the Albanese government got to work. We got to work and, as a consequence, in terms of fuel there is 44 days worth, over 1.8 billion litres, now in the country, along with 3.4 billion litres of diesel and 814 million litres of jet fuel. This month we have had the highest levels of fuel seen since the minimum stockholding obligations came into place. We get to work for Australians. The right-wing parties fight amongst themselves.

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

Senator O'Neill, first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

To build economic and energy resilience, the Albanese Labor government has been focused on building a modern renewable energy grid that puts downward pressure on prices. What has been the impact on energy prices of delivering more renewable energy into the grid?

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

It absolutely underscores the importance of the task that the government is engaged in, delivering on Australia's energy security requirements. In the electricity system, record renewables are replacing fossil fuels, particularly coal, making our grid cheaper, more reliable and cleaner to run. Since May, we have added over 22 gigawatts of renewables, wind and solar to the grid. Almost 455,000 cheaper home batteries, 12 gigawatts of usable capacity, is leading lower wholesale prices and almost 100 times the energy storage capacity of South Australia's Hornsdale big battery, built over eight years ago in this program.

Every step along the way, whether it's on fuel, whether it's on electricity— (Time expired)

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

Senator O'Neill, second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is protecting Australia's energy interests because it's vital for our national resilience. What are the economic and social risks if Australia does not strengthen its energy sovereignty?

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

The biggest risk to our energy and industrial sovereignty is those opposite. That's the biggest risk. Who did more damage? Mr Taylor, when he was the minister for energy, did more damage to Australia's electricity system than any other minister in our history. Four of our six refineries closed. The only thing that didn't stop refineries 5 and 6 closing when Mr Taylor was running the show was time; he just didn't have enough time to close refinery 5 and refinery 6. Mr Hastie in the other place hasn't struck a blow on industrial policy since Mr Taylor was elected. Lots of posts angry about One Nation, but not much work on industrial policy from Mr Hastie. They're all focused on their internal politics, not focused on delivering for blue-collar Australia.