Source : the age
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has accused the opposition of trying to make a scandal out of the fuel supply debate, saying there was “no Watergate here” in response to a question on fuel rationing.
The response came after Liberal MP Simon Kennedy asked Bowen if he had been briefed by state governments on planning for fuel rationing.
“As I indicated in previous answers, literally, there was a meeting of state and territory ministers with me on Friday, literally. And as I indicated on Friday, we compared notes on contingencies planning,” Bowen said.
He went on to say: “There is no Watergate here. I would also remind all honorable members of the need for factual information when communicating with the public.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said he believes Australia is “a long way” from fuel rationing, but his department is exploring contingency management plans.
The answer came after Liberal MP Mary Aldred asked Bowen: “Has the minister sought or received advice from his department on the implementation of fuel rationing?”
Bowen rose and responded: “Of course, I have engaged with my department in prudent contingency planning. Mr Speaker, as I indicated again, on the weekend, the establishment of a national fuel emergency would be a very significant step. It’s never been done. That’s what would be required.”
The minister said that before any fuel rationing would potentially take place, public information campaigns would request people to conserve their fuel usage.
“After that, would any further actions be considered? I think we’re a long way from that. But of course, the commonwealth and the states will work together for prudent contingency planning in a very challenged international environment.”
Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh has asked Energy Minister Chris Bowen when he knew the first ship carrying fuel to Australia was cancelled, as the opposition digs in on headwinds to the fuel supply chain.
After she asked the question, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek mocked the question, calling out:“Gotcha!”
Bowen responded by referring the opposition to previous answers to the opposition, however those responses did not answer the question.
Deputy Nationals leader Darren Chester has asked the government what its plan is for securing fertiliser supplies amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“Fertiliser Australia has written to the government warning that further shipment disruptions will, and I quote, ‘have catastrophic impacts on domestic agricultural output in the 2026 season,’” Chester said.
“Given that the price of fertiliser has doubled, what is the government’s plan to secure fertiliser for Australian farmers?”
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Australia had enough fertiliser on hand and on its way to the country.
“We do continue to monitor this situation, and I’m having weekly meetings with the agriculture sector in relation to fertiliser, and we’re in regular contact with Fertiliser Australia on how we might first source more fertiliser as Australian farmers need it,” Collins said.
“We have been doing the work to make sure that Australian farmers can have certainty when it comes to future crops.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has provided updated figures on the number of petrol stations that have run out of fuel.
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of his update:
- NSW – 37 of the state’s 2444 service stations have run dry
- Queensland – 47 stations have run out of diesel, 32 are without regular unleaded
- Victoria – 109 stations had one or more fuel grade unavailable
In a subsequent question, Bowen was asked for an update on the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania, but did not provide statistics.
Since the change of Liberal leadership earlier this year, Angus Taylor’s opposition has been employing a tactic in question time of repeatedly asking the same question of the government.
We are seeing this tactic at play again today, with the opposition now having used all three questions to the government to ask about cancelled shipments of oil to Australia.
Taylor, energy spokesman Dan Tehan, and industry spokesman Andrew Hastie have all asked some form of these same words: “When were you advised that six shipments of vital fuel supply bound for Australia were cancelled?”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen shared news of six shipments of oil being cancelled during an appearance on the ABC yesterday morning.
Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Energy Chris Bowen have not directly answered the question, but have said they are in constant contact with suppliers and refiners to review the country’s fuel supplies.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that in the last hour he spoke with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and they agreed to support the flow of LNG and petroleum oils, including diesel, between the two countries.
Albanese also said that he expects “a two-way flow” when it comes to energy security with countries including China, Korea, and Japan. The prime minister said the government was engaging with each of those countries.
Question time has begun and the first question to the prime minister from Opposition Leader Angus Taylor is about shipments of fuel to Australia.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said six of 80 impending shipments of oil had been cancelled, during an appearance on the ABC yesterday.
“When was the government advised six shipments of vital fuel supply down for Australia were cancelled, and as of today, how many ships have been cancelled?” Taylor asked.
Albanese responded by saying he was in constant contact with importers. The question was then asked again, this time to Energy Minister Chris Bowen, who said the government was in contact with oil refiners Ampol and Viva every day.
Australia is negotiating with Japan, China and other regional powers to ensure critical fuel supplies remain open, with gas shipments from the Middle East to Asia set to run out within days, raising the prospect of the Albanese government imposing price caps or export restrictions on liquefied natural gas.
Shipments of LNG from Qatari gas fields have stopped, with no sign of when they might resume. Those ships will unload their cargoes in 10 days’ time.
The Persian Gulf nation produces about a fifth of the world’s LNG, but was forced to shut down exports after Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz and its largest plant was badly damaged in a missile attack last week.
One Nation will pose a direct threat to Anthony Albanese, South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas has warned, even after Labor swept to victory in the state’s election on Saturday.
Malinauskas said almost one in four voters choosing One Nation as their first preference in South Australia should not be dismissed as an anomaly or just a threat to the conservative side of politics.
“I think there are implications for my party as much as there are for the Liberal Party,” the re-elected premier told Nine’s Today show on Monday morning.
“We’re going to treat this seriously. I don’t think One Nation, or any political party for that matter, should be written off.”
