2026-03-26 3 1 0 House of Reps 0 1

Thursday, 26 March 2026

The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

STATEMENTS ON SIGNIFICANT MATTERS 1 STATEMENTS ON SIGNIFICANT MATTERS Bangarra Dance Theatre: Venice Biennale Golden Lion 1 Reference to Federation Chamber 2 09:10 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I move: That further statements on the Bangarra Dance Theatre—Venice Biennale Golden Lion be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question agreed to. BILLS 2 BILLS Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 2

Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026

First Reading 2 Second Reading 2 09:11 Ms RISHWORTH HWA Kingston I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Introduction Our road transport industry is vital to keeping our nation's economy moving. Without trucks and their drivers, the movement of essential supplies across Australia stops. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to a sharp spike in the price of fuel. Anyone who's filled up their car recently knows how much of a financial strain this is causing. These surging costs are being felt by many Australians. But they are particularly being felt by truckies who deliver the goods that Australian households and businesses depend on. Drivers are the backbone of our economy—drivers like Justin, who I met earlier this week halfway through his overnight shift, ensuring that food and goods are delivered where they needed to go. Government action to support the road transport industry The Albanese government has already taken a stand to give hardworking truckies like Justin a fair go. And that's why in our first term, our government delivered landmark workplace relations reforms with a clear goal of fair minimum standards for employee-like work and the road transport industry. These were significant changes, which responded to unsustainable practices in the road transport industry putting businesses, workers and their families under immense financial pressure. And our government fought hard to deliver them. And the Fair Work Commission and the parties are doing their part, carefully working through a number of applications under the new regulated worker provisions. We're also looking after our trucking industry by cracking down on sham contracting, with stronger protections against sham contracting and compliance action from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office. There are also increased penalties for employers who dodge their obligations to their employees. The Albanese government is building on these changes to ensure greater fairness, sustainability and resilience through road transport contract chains amid global fuel challenges. The Fairer Fuel Bill This bill is about making sure hardworking truckies and small road transport businesses are not pushed to the brink by severe cost shocks. Under the current legislation, the Fair Work Commission must consult when setting a contractual chain order for a minimum of six months. As our country experiences the impact of the war in the Middle East, the government recognises the need to establish an urgent pathway for truckies and road transport businesses to argue for their fair share in the Fair Work Commission. This bill will amend the Fair Work Act to enable the commission to respond more quickly to contractual chain order applications in time-sensitive circumstances. The amendments will now allow me, as minister, to determine that an application can be dealt with more quickly when there is a significant, national, negative impact on the road transport sector and it is in the public interest to act quickly. In doing so, the minister will need to consider the road transport objective, which requires balancing the interests of businesses and drivers, with a focus on the sustainability of the sector. Once a determination is made, the commission will be able to make contractual chain orders without the usual six-month minimum timeframe, so that truckies and small road transport businesses aren't left to worry about managing rising costs on their own. The requirement on the commission to consult with parties and step through its processes will remain. It will still be up to the commission, in consultation with affected parties, to determine the terms of the order, which must be limited to the issues that have triggered the minister's declaration. But this reform means it will be able to act more quickly, helping to maintain business viability in the current, volatile environment. As this bill is about establishing a new pathway to respond to issues urgently, a six-month limit applies to orders made under the new urgent pathway. After this period, the normal mandatory timeframes will again apply to any ongoing applications made to the commission. These are complex issues affecting people across the globe. Solutions are not simple, which is why we've given the commission jurisdiction to work these issues through in a way that recognises the need to act quickly to protect the livelihoods of truck drivers and keep essential supplies flowing across Australia. The strong safeguards we legislated with the closing loopholes reforms will continue to apply to the commission's decision-making. This includes ensuring that industry is adequately consulted and being satisfied that the order will not unduly impact business viability and competitiveness. But we also built in a 'failsafe' mechanism allowing parties to apply for an order to be suspended while the commission considers whether to vary or revoke it. Taken together, these safeguards ensure the commission can address systemic issues that arise in complex contractual chains, while maintaining confidence that reforms will improve fairness and safety without imposing unreasonable burdens on businesses or undermining industry sustainability. Stakeholder support for the bill The government's announcement of this measure has been widely supported by the road transport industry, including the Australian Road Transport Industrial Association, the Australian Road Freighters Association, the Transport Workers' Union and the Australian Trucking Association, whose CEO Mat Munroe said this week that the ATA stands with the government in full support of its announcement. Conclusion Ultimately this bill is about fairness, resilience and sustainability in contract chains. It's about ensuring that the road transport workers, operators and drivers like Justin are not left to shoulder global shocks on their own. These are the people who keep food on supermarket shelves, materials moving to construction sites, and essential supplies flowing to communities across Australia. This bill ensures that our workplace relations framework can respond when it needs to, quickly, responsibly and in the public interest, and I urge you to join the government in supporting this bill. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned. Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 4

Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026

First Reading 4 Second Reading 4 09:19 Mr HILL 86256 Bruce ():  I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 will increase the consequences for criminal actors involved in the illicit tobacco market and enhance law enforcement's powers to investigate. These reforms are part of broader efforts by the Australian government, and states and territories, to strengthen the fight against illicit tobacco. Illicit tobacco poses significant risks to Australia's public health and community safety. 'Cheap smokes' are everywhere with a now ridiculously ubiquitous retail distribution network. You'd have to have your eyes glued shut not to recognise that this is a problem, and anyone who says otherwise is either deluded or lying. The latest official estimates in the ITEC commissioner's 2024-25 annual report are sobering: Between 50 and 60 per cent of all tobacco products sold in Australia are now illicit—and this may get worse before it gets better. Organised crime groups are estimated to be earning between $4.1 to $6.9 billion profit from this trade, which can be reinvested into other nefarious business including trafficking, scams and money laundering. Almost every vape purchased in Australia was illegal (about 95.7 per cent of all e-cigarette products sold) with a market value of about $1.6 billion. What used to be seen as a health and revenue issue has now morphed into a serious and organised crime problem. A massive global surplus of cheap supply of tobacco has been weaponised by transnational serious organised crime groups across the Middle East, South-East Asia and the Pacific, operating like multinational businesses, investing capital in what they perceive as a 'high profit and low risk' situation. This equation needs to be reversed to make illegal tobacco less profitable and more risky for the criminals involved. This bill is a critical step to strengthen Commonwealth laws and increase penalties to make the consequences much greater for criminals, target unexplained wealth, and activate enhanced law enforcement techniques, like wiretaps and other powerful tools to track and disrupt criminal networks. This fight really matters. Smoking still kills on average 66 Australians every day and accounts for 20 per cent of the nation's cancer disease burden. Two out of every three long-term smokers will die of a tobacco related illness. If our society does not turn the tide on this illicit market then we risk a new generation of Australians getting hooked on tobacco—a costly public health disaster for all Australians, as billions of dollars would then get diverted in the health system to deal with the consequences. Australians are rightly sick to death of the sleazy, illegal shopfronts that now litter every high street in every city and every town. Brazen criminals must not be allowed to operate in plain sight, and the government is working with and supporting the states and territories to shut down the illegal shops and disrupt the trade. Let me turn to the specifics of this bill which will amend the Customs Act 1901, the Excise Act 1901, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Taxation Administration Act 1953, and the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 toensure that the penalties reflect the severity of harm caused by the illicit tobacco trade on the Australian community and provide an even stronger deterrent from engaging in unlawful dealings that threaten our communities and public health. Law enforcement will gain consistent and expanded powers to target proceeds of crime, unexplained wealth and tainted property. There are two overarching elements of these reforms. Changing the risk calculation for criminal actors First, rebalancing of the risk-to-reward calculation for criminal actors involved in the illicit tobacco market by increasing the consequences. This will be achieved through amendments to the Customs Act, the Excise Act, the Taxation Administration Act and the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act. These amendments increase the penalties for offences relating to the importation, possession, buying, selling, supply, production or manufacture of illicit tobacco. Increasing penalties will also enable more effective investigatory powers to be used on a broader range of illicit tobacco offences, including computer access and surveillance capabilities under the Surveillance Devices Act 2004. Additional amendments will also enable telecommunications interception powers to be used by listing tobacco offences as serious offences under section 5D of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act. This will enable law enforcement and intelligence agencies to seek telecommunications interception warrants for investigation of these offences. Targeting illicit profits Second, the reforms will ensure Australia's proceeds of crime regime provides law enforcement with more techniques to prevent offenders from benefiting from the criminal profits generated from illicit tobacco, empowering law enforcement to hit criminals where it hurts. Prosecutions remain import, but they can be slow and expensive. What really hurts the criminals is taking their houses, their cars, their cash, their boats and their toys. The bill will clarify, streamline and strengthen existing information-gathering and confiscation mechanisms, to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement outcomes. The reforms will enable information obtained through Proceeds of Crime Act investigations to be shared with other Commonwealth regulators, ensuring that our regulatory bodies can identify, and take action against, professional facilitators that continue to assist criminal actors. This recognises the important role of our regulatory bodies and acknowledges the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government response to combat illicit tobacco markets. The work that AUSTRAC and the banks are doing to shut down the money flows that keep illicit tobacco profitable is critical to disrupt the trade. Hundreds of high-risk bank accounts have already been reviewed and closed down along with the merchant services and private ATMs withdrawn, alongside a sharp increase in suspicious transaction reporting and strengthened controls. The provision of Proceeds of Crime Act investigation information to bodies like AUSTRAC, ASIC and APRA for a regulatory purpose will see further results. Similarly, law enforcement will benefit from the modernisation of the existing Proceeds of Crime Act search warrant framework. When the Proceeds of Crime Act was enacted in 2002, its search warrant framework mirrored the Crimes Act at that point. However, since then, the Crimes Act has evolved, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistent powers for the Federal Police. This bill will recalibrate and realign our legislation, ensuring law enforcement has the same powers and can focus on their job—to seize the proceeds of crime. Amendments will also be made to the Proceeds of Crime Act to enable law enforcement to effectively target unexplained wealth. These amendments recognise the importance of cross-border cooperation and will ensure that national efforts to confiscate proceeds of crime see equitable sharing across all states and territories. These amendments will strengthen our law enforcement partnerships, and the national response to combat illicit tobacco. The nature of organised crime and sophistication of cross-border networks is increasingly challenging. Reforms will be introduced to ensure that law enforcement can serve documents under the Proceeds of Crime Act across Australia in a consistent manner, instead of having to satisfy, as they currently do, the individual requirements and differing requirements of each state and territory. Further, additional grounds for a making a non-publication order will be enacted into the Proceeds of Crime Act. These amendments will ensure national consistency when protecting information related to restraining orders, enabling law enforcement to target criminal networks across Australia while protecting the integrity of each individual proceeding. Conclusion This bill comes at a critical time in Australia's fight to contain and reverse the growth of the illicit tobacco market. Every seizure, every prosecution, every licence suspension and every dollar seized from a criminal under proceeds of crime powers adds friction and puts the illicit market under further pressure. Increasing penalties and strengthening Commonwealth laws are critical to ensure Australia can continue to deter, disrupt and prevent the further growth of the illicit tobacco market, which will support the health and wellbeing of the Australian community. I commend the bill to the chamber. Debate adjourned. BUSINESS 6 BUSINESS Consideration of Legislation 6 09:28 Mr TEHAN 210911 Wannon I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately: (1) the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 being called on immediately and having precedence over all other business; (2) debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding without interruption, with the time for each speech limited to 5 minutes; (3) questions then being immediately put on any amendments moved to the motion for the second reading and on the second reading of the bill; (4) if required, a consideration in detail stage of the bill, with any detail amendments to be moved together, with: (a) one question to be put on all government amendments; (b) one question to be put on all opposition amendments; (c) separate questions then to be put on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; and (d) one question to be put that the bill [as amended] be agreed to; (5) any remaining questions required to conclude consideration in detail being put from no later than 1 pm; (6) when the bill has been agreed to, the question being put immediately on the third reading of the bill; and (7) any variation to these arrangements being made only on a motion moved by the Manager of Opposition Business. The standing and sessional orders must be suspended, because the opposition is being forced to do the government's job for it during this national fuel crisis. The government made a big deal about this ACCC bill. They said that it was urgent. We had the minister saying that it was urgent. Yet here we are, on Thursday of this parliamentary sitting week, in the middle of a national fuel crisis, and all we've had is this bill introduced. They've made no efforts to come to the opposition and say: 'This is what's in it. We want to get it done quickly.' There've been no briefings for the shadow Treasurer. And all this is happening while diesel and petrol prices are going through the roof. I've just had a report in Warrnambool, in my electorate, that the diesel price has just hit $3.20. It gives me no joy to be in here doing the government's job for them. As a matter of fact, I find it quite sad, because there doesn't seem to be an understanding on the government benches of what is actually occurring out in Australia at the moment. They seem to be just caught in some sort of bubble where they don't have any realisation about what is happening in Australia right across the nation. At the moment, families are sitting at their kitchen tables, saying: 'Are we going to be able to afford to go on Easter holidays? Are we going to be able to travel to where we normally go, and is there going to be fuel there for us to be able to get home with?' All they're getting from the government is—and we saw this; there were five senior cabinet ministers out there yesterday saying, 'We've got more fuel than we did when the Iran war started.' Where is it? We've been saying to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy: 'Why don't you do your job? Find out where the fuel shortages are, and get the fuel to where the shortages are.' Yet we've had nothing. They've said that they're going to make this big impact on anyone that's gouging—'We're going to double the fines.' Where's the legislation? It is not here. Where is the urgency in dealing with the national fuel crisis? You have to remember: this is the minister who made changes, because there was fuel being exported out of Australia, to say that it will stay here. He basically changed the sulphur requirements. Guess how long the paperwork sat on his desk for him to do that? Over five days for the paperwork! This is in a national fuel crisis. Guess what we said to him two weeks ago? There are more changes that you could make around the fuel standards. Guess what the minister did? It took him till yesterday to do it. That was two weeks. And he accuses us of not being positive, not offering solutions, during a national fuel crisis. Well, here is another one. This ACCC bill—we've been through it. The shadow Treasurer spent all night last night going through it because he wants to make sure it's fine. He wants to make sure that we can bring it on and bring it on immediately. That is exactly why we are seeking to suspend the standing and sessional orders—so that we can do this. If the government wants to sit on its hands and pretend there is nothing happening out in our country at the moment, why not be honest with the Australian people and just come out and say that? Everything that we're hearing on our side shows there are real issues and real problems everywhere, and yet we've got a government which seems hapless and helpless about trying to do anything. Just to give you a sense of what's happening in Western Australia, there's a cyclone that's coming through. Hopefully, that won't do too much damage, but that's going to bring rain with it—and we've got the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry here. It means that, as soon as that rain goes through, all those grain growers in Western Australia are going to want to get on their tractors and start sowing but, if they don't have the diesel, they're not going to be able to do it. Then you go to a family in Tasmania. They might be thinking, 'We might go over to the mainland for the Easter school holidays,' but they're worried. They're worried about the cost of petrol. It has hit $2.60. The cost of diesel has hit $3.20. They're worried that they'll get over there and won't be able to get fuel to put in the car to get back. This is what people are dealing with. This weekend, there will be mums and dads across Australia who will be doing the drop-off to sport. As they go to netball, as they go to soccer, as they go to football, as they go to gymnastics, they'll be sitting there thinking, 'Gee, this is costing me a lot. We will probably have to limit the Easter eggs that we buy for Easter Sunday. We're probably going to have to think about, okay, are we going to get those pair of soccer boots? Are we going to be able to get those runners for netball?' They are the sorts of things that they will be thinking about. What's the government thinking about? They're not thinking about anything. I mean, there is no urgency whatsoever, and it's going to be an absolute insight into this government's dealing with this issue, this national fuel crisis. Remember, the only reason we got it called a 'national fuel crisis' was because Minister Bowen, finally, under enormous pressure, had to admit that that's what it was. But this is going to be the biggest test yet, because here's the opposition offering bipartisanship. We've got this motion. Let's just suspend everything else to do with the parliament and let's bring the ACCC bill on. Now, guess what I think the leader of business in the House is going to do? Guess what I think he's going to do? I reckon he's going to gag us, so this will be a real test. Here is a genuine offer of bipartisanship, so will you agree to our suspension and will you bring the bill on? Will you let us debate it? Will you let it pass, go into the Senate and, hopefully, then it will offer a little bit of reassurance? I mean, the Australian people are going to need a lot more reassurance, because nothing else that's been done has been done with any sort of urgency. But this will be a test for the government, because, if you're serious, here we have bipartisanship being offered to bring this on and away we go. Let's whip it through the parliament and, if there's any other legislation, here's the offering to the government from the opposition. We understand how people are hurting. We understand the importance of this, so, if you're genuine, we will work in a bipartisan way with you with any legislation that we think will make this better. As a matter of fact, we're happy to go and sit in the minister's office when the paperwork comes up so that he doesn't sit there for four or five days while fuel's being exported out of this country. That's the type of offering that we are making to you because we want you to understand how serious this issue is— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Please direct your comments through the chair. Mr TEHAN 210911 and we want the government to understand that they are asleep at the wheel. They're sitting on their hands. They're not acting with the immediacy that this requires and that's why we're bringing on this motion. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Is there a seconder for the motion? 09:38 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein I second the motion. I really welcome the motion being put forward by the member for Wannon and shadow minister for energy. Australia is facing a national crisis right now. If every member goes and looks at the cost of petrol or diesel in the petrol stations across their electorates, they will see the consequences of this crisis and, more importantly, how their constituents are doing it tough. Before I came to the dispatch box today, the price of petrol a litre was about $2.50 in the Goldstein electorate; it was about $3.20 for diesel. As the shadow minister correctly pointed out, there are going to be so many families driving between soccer and various other sports this Saturday, questioning whether they can afford to do it and keep supporting their kids. But more importantly, they're going to increasingly be carpooling to see how it is that they can save a buck, particularly in the lead-up to Easter. In the lead-up to Easter, it's so important to understand, habitually, how important it is that families connect. They can't even afford to drive to see their family or afford the holiday that they have booked and had had booked for months at a caravan park or somewhere where they're driving. That is increasingly being put at jeopardy because of soaring energy prices and fuel prices. This is something that Australians are fixated on right now. What do they expect of their government? They expect leadership. They expect action. But instead what they're hearing is silence. And this is what is so terrifying for so many Australians. We've gone through a situation where, within one week, we've had the Minister for Climate Chang and Energy go from saying, 'There is no problem; we've got plenty of abundant fuel,' to three days later declaring a national crisis, to now already having our second National Cabinet on the national energy crisis. This government has been caught not just flat footed, not just asleep at the wheel—though they have been—but in a state of denial about the scale of the challenge that is being faced by our country and the cost impact it's having on Australian farmers, manufacturers, the freight industry. Of course all of that gets picked up by Australian consumers and also Australian small businesses. Think about it. Right now, we have small businesses that are already living with the consequences of industrial relations inflation, monetary inflation stoked by pouring debt petrol on the inflation fire because, under the Albanese government, there's always fuel for inflation, just not for farmers or families. All of the other costs and taxes and charges are going up. And now those that are holiday destinations or part of the tourism industry are getting cancellations for Easter because families are saying: 'We can't make ends meet under the Albanese government. We can't make ends meet when you add on the extra cost of fuel.' Australian households are the ones that are living the consequences of this government, but it will cascade. This is always the worry about these sorts of events. The first tremor can often be the sign of a bigger earthquake that is to come. The economic earthquake that is going to happen under the Albanese government if we don't take prompt, immediate action to stand with consumers—to make sure they can get the fuel at the pump so they can be in the position they need to be—is a central thing this parliament should be focused on this week. Instead what we've had is a government that has dithered. They introduced this bill. They have not brought it to a vote to drive it through legislatively, to increase the penalties for those who seek to price gouge or take advantage of vulnerable Australians at this time. I've written to the Treasurer and asked for a briefing on the legislation. He hasn't even bothered to respond. It's quite simple. We need action and we need it immediately. We should expect the Treasurer and the minister for energy to step up to the plate, let alone the dispatch box, and do their job, but instead they have not worked with us in a bipartisan fashion in the way that we have wanted. They are not seeking to bring out a sense of urgency about the importance of this legislation, and the only people who are going to pay the price are going to be Australian families, Australian small businesses and of course, particularly, rural and regional communities. We've had this consistent delusion from the government that there is no problem around fuel—this denial from this government that there is no problem around fuel. Yet, after initially saying there's no problem, the minister for energy has had to come into this parliament every single day and answer simple questions in question time and has had to read out the number of petrol stations that are going dry. Australians are living that. Increasingly I'm hearing stories in urban areas of Australia, including in Melbourne, where people are parking cars deliberately to stop people accessing petrol pumps. This is urgent. It is real. Can the Albanese government please act? 09:43 Mr BURKE DYW Watson The opposition have decided to progress the agenda of the government, and I thank them for that. I would remind the opposition of two things. First of all, the government is always ready for our legislation to go through the parliament the moment we introduce it—always. The reason that we wait till the following week is at a request of the opposition to allow them to have their party room meeting. But I take it that the House of Reps tactics committee for the opposition have met and have decided they're ready to progress—I take the Manager of Opposition Business at his word—with any legislation that will help in the current circumstance with respect to fuel. That was the commitment he made, and I will be moving an amendment to this motion to make that true. There is another relevant bill, a Fair Work Act amendment bill that was introduced today, and we will be taking him at his word that that will go through the House today as well. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Just a moment? Mr Tehan 210911 Could we see the amendment? Mr Burke DYW Not until I move it. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Sit down, please. Resume your seat—and a little less interjecting; we might get through this debate in an orderly, efficient manner, and get a result. The Leader of the House has the call. Mr BURKE DYW I just wish that this position that the opposition's House of Representatives tactics committee has taken was the same position that their Senate tactics committee has taken. Right now, as I understand it, their Senate tactics committee are indicating in the other place that they want this bill to go off to a Senate inquiry, not to be put through straightaway. If the opposition members of the House have decided that this is urgent, can they tell their Senate colleagues, because nothing makes any difference out there to the rest of Australia until the bill has gone through both houses and is able to become law. If their position is, 'Let's push it through here today, but we couldn't care less whether it becomes law,' that gets us nowhere. Part of the challenge here for those opposite is the fact that their leadership construction, if we can call it that, is something we have never seen before in the history of Federation. The deputy leader of the Liberals is no longer in this House. They looked throughout the whole of the parliament and they couldn't find a single person to be their deputy leader, so the deputy leader of the Liberals is a senator. But the deputy leader of the Liberals, who is a senator, does not lead the Liberals in the Senate; there's another person who leads the Liberals in the Senate. In fact, the deputy leader of the Liberals in the Senate is still not the deputy leader of the Liberals. And the Nationals have managed to have a leader of the Nationals who is in the Senate but is not the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate. I can see why they've ended up jumbled with all of this. My request is simple: if they have decided that they want to be constructive, and if they have looked across all the policy ideas that are out there and realised the way to be constructive is to back government legislation, then we welcome that. But we take the Manager of Opposition Business at his word, when he said that the opposition stood ready to support any legislation dealing with the current circumstances—the fuel crisis. For that reason, I move the following amendment: That the motion be amended to read as follows: "That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately: (1) the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 being called on immediately to be debated concurrently and having precedence over all other business; (2) debate on the second reading of the bills proceeding without interruption, with the time for each speech limited to 5 minutes; (3) questions then being immediately put on any amendments moved to the motion for the second reading and on the second reading of the bills; (4) if required, a consideration in detail stage of each of the bills, with any detail amendments to be moved together, with: (a) one question to be put on all government amendments; (b) one question to be put on all opposition amendments; (c) separate questions then to be put on any sets of amendments moved by crossbench Members; and (d) one question to be put that the bills [as amended] be agreed to; (5) any remaining questions required to conclude consideration in detail being put from no later than 1 pm; and (6) when the bills have been agreed to, the question being put immediately on the third reading of each of the bills." I don't think we need 'any variation to these arrangements being moved by the Manager of Opposition Business', because we will be giving him what he wants. I am really pleased they are willing to support the changes to the Fair Work Act, because when those principles to give decent conditions to, and to secure the future of, the trucking industry were put in the Fair Work Act, they opposed them. But apparently they only oppose the six-month consultation period. Mr Tehan 210911 Point of order— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 I will give you the call— Mr BURKE DYW If I can explain— Mr Tehan 210911 No, no— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Resume your seat, Manager of Opposition Business. That is exactly the same point of order you raised with me only minutes ago. I asked you to resume your seat. Let's proceed in an orderly manner according to the standing orders, shall we? Mr BURKE DYW We're heading to the weekend. I have two suggestions for weekend reading for the Manager of Opposition Business. There's a little book, and there's a big book. They're both green, and they tell you the rules. When it comes to an amendment, there are two ways you can move an amendment in the House. The first way you move an amendment is you have the amendment circulated, in which case you then say, 'I move the amendment which has been circulated in my name.' I respect that the Manager of Opposition Business is very new to being a member of this House and hasn't seen this done before! The second option, if you have not circulated it—and the shadow Treasurer knows this rule, so you can explain it to him because we made the shadow Treasurer do this when he didn't have one of his amendments circulated—is you read out every word of the amendment to the House. I just read out every word of the amendment to the House. I checked those words before I read them out to the House with the Clerk to make sure that they were in order. When every word is read out, it doesn't need to be circulated. That's why, when someone moves 'that the question be put', they don't need to have a piece of paper that says the words 'that the question be put'. That's why when a whole lot of motions are moved in this House, if you say it out loud, you don't need to have circulated it. The Manager of Opposition Business seems to have developed this concept that if he occasionally stands up and says, as slowly as possible, 'standing order 104(a)' that people think that means he knows the whole rulebook. No, it means he knows one paragraph on one page where he can stand up regularly and still get it wrong. So, for the Manager of Opposition Business, I simply say that we're taking the opposition at their word. If you've come in here and said that you've done the about face; that you now want to be constructive; that you have recognised that the way to be constructive is to back the agenda of this government in making sure that we're looking after Australians, in making sure that we're dealing with people who might be engaging in price gouging and in making sure absolutely that we are securing a fair deal for the trucking industry at the current time; and that everything those opposite said last term is no longer true, then we welcome that. We support it. Let's get it done before question time today. Without writing it on a piece of paper—but you can just hear me say the words—I will then, once the amendment is stated, move that the question be put. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The time for this debate has now expired. The question before the House is that the motion as amended be agreed to—sorry, I've got to move the actual amendment first. I'm moving the amendment as read just a moment ago. I put that to the House. Honourable members interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Please—a bit of order. Mr Tehan 210911 The noes have it! The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Yelling at me doesn't work. Manager of Opposition Business, I just tried to bring order in the House, so yelling back at me is not a great tactic. Just so we are all clear, I called for the noes. Now you can take your chance of talking respectfully to me. Mr Tehan 210911 Deputy Speaker, the only reason I was trying to make it that the noes have it was because of the wall of noise over there— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Sit down! For goodness sake, is a division required? That's the simple response I require at this point. Mr Tehan 210911 The noes have it. Division required. The SPEAKER 53517 The question before the House is the amendment moved by the Leader of the House to the motion by the Manager of Opposition Business be agreed to.  

The House divided. [09:59]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)

 94 AYES Abdo, B. J. Albanese, A. N. Aly, A. Ambihaipahar, A. Belyea, J. A. Berry, C. G. Boele, N. Bowen, C. E. Briskey, J. L. Burke, A. S. Burnell, M. P. Butler, M. C. Byrnes, A. J. Campbell, J. P. Chalmers, J. E. Charlton, A. H. G. Chesters, L. M. Clare, J. D. Claydon, S. C. Clutterham, C. L. Coffey, R. K. Coker, E. A. Collins, J. M. Comer, E. L. Conroy, P. M. Cook, K. M. G. Cook, P. A. Doyle, M. J. J. Dreyfus, M. A. Elliot, M. J. Fernando, C. J. France, A. A. Freelander, M. R. French, T. A. Garland, C. M. L. Georganas, S. Giles, A. J. Gorman, P. P. Gosling, L. J. Gregg, M. J. Hill, J. C. Holzberger, R. A. V. Husic, E. N. Jarrett, M. L. Jordan-Baird, M. A. M. Kearney, G. M. Keogh, M. J. Khalil, P. King, C. F. King, M. M. H. Lawrence, T. N. Laxale, J. A. A. Leigh, A. K. Lim, S. B. C. Mascarenhas, Z. F. A. McBain, K. L. McBride, E. M. Miller-Frost, L. J. Mitchell, R. G. Moncrieff, D. S. Mulino, D. Neumann, S. K. Ng, G. J. O'Neil, C. E. Payne, A. E. Plibersek, T. J. Rae, S. T. Reid, G. J. Repacholi, D. P. Rishworth, A. L. Roberts, T. G. Rowland, M. A. Ryan, J. C. Ryan, M. M. Scrymgour, M. R. Sitou, S. Smith, D. P. B. (Teller) Smith, M. J. H. Soon, X. Stanley, A. M. (Teller) Steggall, Z. Swanson, M. J. Teesdale, J. A. Templeman, S. R. Thwaites, K. L. Urquhart, A. E. Watson-Brown, E. Watts, T. G. Wells, A. S. White, R. P. Wilkie, A. D. Wilson, J. H. Witty, S. J. Zappia, A. 46 NOES Aldred, M. R. (Teller) Batt, D. J. Bell, A. M. Birrell, S. J. Boyce, C. E. Buchholz, S. Caldwell, C. M. Chaffey, J. L. Chaney, K. E. Chester, D. J. Conaghan, P. J. Hamilton, G. R. Hastie, A. W. Hawke, A. G. Hogan, K. J. Joyce, B. T. G. Kennedy, S. P. Landry, M. L. (Teller) Le, D. T. Leeser, J. Littleproud, D. McCormack, M. F. McIntosh, M. I. McKenzie, Z. A. O'Brien, E. L. O'Brien, L. S. Pasin, A. Penfold, A. L. Pike, H. J. Price, M. L. Rebello, L. S. Scamps, S. A. Sharkie, R. C. C. Small, B. J. Spender, A. M. Taylor, A. J. Tehan, D. T. Thompson, P. Venning, T. H. Violi, A. A. Wallace, A. B. Webster, A. E. Willcox, A. J. Wilson, R. J. Wilson, T. R. Young, T. J. 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

10:03 The SPEAKER 53517 The question now is that the suspension as amended be agreed to.  

The House divided. [10:08]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)

 94 AYES Abdo, B. J. Albanese, A. N. Aly, A. Ambihaipahar, A. Belyea, J. A. Berry, C. G. Boele, N. Bowen, C. E. Briskey, J. L. Burke, A. S. Burnell, M. P. Butler, M. C. Byrnes, A. J. Campbell, J. P. Chalmers, J. E. Charlton, A. H. G. Chesters, L. M. Clare, J. D. Claydon, S. C. Clutterham, C. L. Coffey, R. K. Coker, E. A. Collins, J. M. Comer, E. L. Conroy, P. M. Cook, K. M. G. Cook, P. A. Doyle, M. J. J. Dreyfus, M. A. Elliot, M. J. Fernando, C. J. France, A. A. Freelander, M. R. French, T. A. Garland, C. M. L. Georganas, S. Giles, A. J. Gorman, P. P. Gosling, L. J. Gregg, M. J. Hill, J. C. Holzberger, R. A. V. Husic, E. N. Jarrett, M. L. Jordan-Baird, M. A. M. Kearney, G. M. Keogh, M. J. Khalil, P. King, C. F. King, M. M. H. Lawrence, T. N. Laxale, J. A. A. Leigh, A. K. Lim, S. B. C. Mascarenhas, Z. F. A. McBain, K. L. McBride, E. M. Miller-Frost, L. J. Mitchell, R. G. Moncrieff, D. S. Mulino, D. Neumann, S. K. Ng, G. J. O'Neil, C. E. Payne, A. E. Plibersek, T. J. Rae, S. T. Reid, G. J. Repacholi, D. P. Rishworth, A. L. Roberts, T. G. Rowland, M. A. Ryan, J. C. Ryan, M. M. Scrymgour, M. R. Sitou, S. Smith, D. P. B. (Teller) Smith, M. J. H. Soon, X. Stanley, A. M. (Teller) Steggall, Z. Swanson, M. J. Teesdale, J. A. Templeman, S. R. Thwaites, K. L. Urquhart, A. E. Watson-Brown, E. Watts, T. G. Wells, A. S. White, R. P. Wilkie, A. D. Wilson, J. H. Witty, S. J. Zappia, A. 46 NOES Aldred, M. R. (Teller) Batt, D. J. Bell, A. M. Birrell, S. J. Boyce, C. E. Buchholz, S. Caldwell, C. M. Chaffey, J. L. Chaney, K. E. Chester, D. J. Conaghan, P. J. Hamilton, G. R. Hastie, A. W. Hawke, A. G. Hogan, K. J. Joyce, B. T. G. Kennedy, S. P. Landry, M. L. (Teller) Le, D. T. Leeser, J. Littleproud, D. McCormack, M. F. McIntosh, M. I. McKenzie, Z. A. O'Brien, E. L. O'Brien, L. S. Pasin, A. Penfold, A. L. Pike, H. J. Price, M. L. Rebello, L. S. Scamps, S. A. Sharkie, R. C. C. Small, B. J. Spender, A. M. Taylor, A. J. Tehan, D. T. Thompson, P. Venning, T. H. Violi, A. A. Wallace, A. B. Webster, A. E. Willcox, A. J. Wilson, R. J. Wilson, T. R. Young, T. J. 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to, with an absolute majority.

 BILLS 12 BILLS Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 12

Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026

Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026

Second Reading 12 10:13 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein We're very happy to see that this legislation, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, is being debated, though we're very disappointed that the government has gone through a shambled process, to introduce the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 this morning. They have tried to force it through the parliament before anyone in the entire country has read it. The Leader of the House understands full well the scale of the legislation he is trying to introduce, and he is now trying to ram it through the parliament on the basis that he has no interest in the opposition or anyone outside this parliament scrutinising it. It's a very dangerous precedent. This is in comparison to the schedules that are being updated in the context of the Competition and Consumer Act which are focused very squarely on making sure penalties are imposed on those who seek to price gouge or harm Australians. It's a straightforward exercise that they have dawdled on every step of the way. The response from the minister has been to not bring the legislation to the House, to bring it to a vote to resolve the matter and to up the penalties, but instead he has allowed time to drift. We are simply asking that that matter, which is simple, straightforward and clear, be resolved. Instead, what the government is now doing is a shambolic process to try and shut down parliamentary scrutiny and parliamentary accountability. I'll remind the House this Fair Work legislation was introduced this morning. A copy has not even, as far as I am aware, been made available to the opposition—or, if it has, we certainly haven't had the chance to read it yet. When you're making such substantial changes to industrial relations legislation—and I know the Labor Party works for the trade union movement; it doesn't work for Australians—at some point you actually have to factor Australians into the conversation. We hope and pray sanity prevails and that the government is proportionate and reasonable. They announced the changes in the ACCC bill well over a week ago. There was a lot of fanfare from the Treasurer. I understand why there was a lot of fanfare from the Treasurer, because they need to be seen to be taking action given the context and time. We have been waiting patiently for the legislation. It finally arrived, it is straightforward and simple, and that's why we have no issue debating it. We do have a problem when the government announces legislation and essentially gives no real insight into its detail—and its detail matters. They have stapled it on to the motion for another bill and forced the debate on it, and the consequence is that it's not just that the opposition who will not have the chance to scrutinise it; the Australian people won't have the chance to scrutinise it. Of course, there will be no chance for those people who understand this legislation to step through it one by one. But let's deal with the legislation now at hand, particularly the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. There is a simple reality out there in Australia: Australians are desperately trying to find a pathway forward to be able to afford fuel. In this House we have gone through multiple stages of crisis, from complete denial, by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy on Monday, that there is a problem to on Thursday declaring a national crisis in this nation's parliament. As a consequence, Australians are now living the full consequences of a fuel crisis that stems from government denial. If they had taken it more seriously with a sense of urgency and prudence, we wouldn't be in a situation where residents in the electorate are now paying somewhere around $2.50 for unleaded and up to $3.50 for diesel. This is a huge problem that Australians are living with now, in the lead-up to Easter and over Saturday with sport, in being able to drive around the electorates of the country. The challenge for Australian households right now is they do not want to see price gouging impacting them. In the lead-up to the bill being presented before the parliament, I understand that we unintentionally misled the House, because I understand that the Treasurer did offer a briefing to the office, but it was not relayed to me. This is a simple error, and so I want to correct the record. 10:18 Ms BRISKEY 263427 Maribyrnong What we have just heard from those opposite is not a genuine attempt to help struggling Australians. It is a blatant political tactic dressed up as concern. The coalition comes into this place claiming to stand for households under pressure and to speak for families doing it tough, but, when it has mattered, where have they been over the last three years? They have consistently voted against every single cost-of-living relief measure that we have put through this parliament. When there is real opportunity to act in the national interest, they always abandon responsibility and reach straight for fear, distortion and political gain. They want Australians to believe that they're on their side, but Australians can see right through it. Instead, what we see is that the opposition are more interested in the headlines than in outcomes—more interested in exploiting a global crisis than in responding to it responsibly. We see that plainly in the way that they have approached this very debate. There is a well-established convention in this place: government legislation is introduced and then time is provided—typically around a week—before the second reading debate proceeds. That time exists for a reason. It allows the opposition to properly scrutinise legislation, to consult stakeholders and to engage in good-faith consideration of the detail. That is how this parliament is supposed to work. They have rushed into this debate to manufacture outrage and urgency rather than to do the work responsibly. This is just a stunt. It is not about helping Australians; it is about politics, plain and simple. At a time when there is conflict unfolding in the Middle East, when global energy markets are under pressure and when Australians are, understandably, watching closely, leadership matters. Australians deserve calm, clear, factual information. They do not deserve an opposition trying to manufacture fear for their own political gain. The Albanese government has introduced this legislation—to up penalties at the petrol pump, as well as making it better, easier and fairer for our trucking industry—for a very clear reason: to help consumers get a fair go and to support our trucking industry. The conflict overseas should never be used as an excuse to profit from Australians. That is why we are putting petrol companies on notice. We will not let big corporations treat Australian consumers like mugs. We are calling on the opposition to support this bill because this is about holding companies to account when they do the wrong thing. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 doubles the maximum penalties for serious breaches of competition and consumer law from $50 million to $100 million per offence for false or misleading conduct or cartel behaviour across the country. We have already acted in this space. We increased penalties fivefold to up to $50 million and strengthened the powers of the ACCC, including extending petrol price monitoring enabling on-the-spot fines. But this legislation goes further. It ensures even bigger penalties for servos and suppliers who are ripping off Australian motorists. It sits alongside a broader package of action we are taking to address fuel affordability and security. We are boosting fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel. We are getting more fuel into the market by temporarily amending fuel standards. We are working with the ACCC to ensure fuel gets to where it is needed, particularly in regional communities, and ramping up fuel price monitoring. And we are engaging with our international partners to strengthen supply chains and fuel security. This is a comprehensive, practical response to a challenging global environment. The recent conflict in the Middle East has increased uncertainty. Australians are not immune to it. Our job, though, is to respond responsibly, to protect consumers, to ensure that volatility is not used as a cover for misconduct. That's what this legislation does. The government's priorities are clear. We are focused on addressing inflation, lifting productivity and navigating global uncertainty. Ensuring fairer petrol prices, stronger fuel supply chains and fairer deals for our trucking industry is a key part of this work. These bills are about fairness. They are about accountability and making sure Australians get a fair go. Those opposite can continue their political games, but this government will continue doing what Australians expect: acting in the national interest, protecting consumers and delivering real practical outcomes. I commend the bills to the House. 10:23 Mr TEHAN 210911 Wannon Well, we've seen this morning what this government is all about when it comes to dealing with the national fuel crisis. It is all about politics; it's not about real solutions for the Australian people. We put forward a motion this morning about bringing forward the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. The government has been saying, for over two weeks, that they wanted that bill passed and passed quickly. So we offered true bipartisanship to get that bill on the papers, get it debated and passed through this House today. What did the government do in response? It attached another bill to this motion, a bill which was only introduced into the parliament this morning—that is, they do not want any scrutiny of it whatsoever. It's pure political game scoring, pure political game playing. This is the problem with this government in a national fuel crisis. It's all about the politics. It's not about what's happening out in the community at the moment. Why did we want to bring on the ACCC bill? It is because we saw the bill introduced—the shadow Treasurer spent all of last night looking at it. It is a very simple bill. It increases fines. We checked it, we double-checked it, and we thought: 'Okay, there's nothing complex about this bill. It's a very simple bill—' Mr Thompson 281826 Nothing sneaky in it. Mr TEHAN 210911 'There's nothing sneaky in it. Let's just get it through the parliament.' But the government just cannot operate in a bipartisan way. It always has to play politics. So what does it do? You get the Leader of the House coming in and saying, 'I'm going to attach this very complex bill to it as well.' It was introduced this morning—no briefings, no nothing. Why is it that you want to play politics during a national fuel crisis? I say this, and I'm sure the people in the gallery will understand this: people in the community at the moment are deeply, deeply concerned with what is happening with this national fuel crisis. They're seeing bombs being dropped. They're seeing energy infrastructure being damaged. They've seen the price of diesel in this country hit $3.20. They've seen the price of petrol hit $2.60. They've seen the government say there's more fuel in the Australian economy than there was before the start of the war, and they just want to know: why, then, isn't the fuel getting to where it needs to get to, and why has the fuel price gone through the roof? One of the things that's a really important part of this process is that, if people are price gouging, if people are hoarding fuel, then we need the ACCC to be able to look at it. If there are increased penalties to stop those things from happening, that's critically important, because mums and dads then won't be facing choices like, 'Okay, how many Easter eggs do I get?' versus, 'Can I afford that roast lamb to have for Easter Sunday?' This is what we're talking about here. We made an offer of bipartisanship to say: 'The ACCC bill is very simple. Let's get it through the House into the Senate.' Yet what do we get? Once again, all you want to do is play politics. I ask you to please remember what is happening out there in the community. People are hurting. People are concerned. People are worried. They're worried about the secondary impacts of this fuel crisis. They're wondering about what it's going to mean for when they go into the supermarket—what it's going to mean for vegetable prices and what it's going to mean for meat prices. They worry every time they go and fill the car up: 'That $100 note or that $50 note—how many litres is it now going to get me? It won't get me enough.' You have the Leader of the House come in here and say: 'Aren't I clever! I'll attach this bill I've introduced today to yours, and we won't let anyone be able to scrutinise it. That's clever, politically, isn't it! Ha-ha! Aren't I great!' Well, I say this to the government: that's not what the Australian people want to see at this time. There's a simple bill which will make a difference. Let's pass that, then let's look at the other bill. Let's have briefings. Let's look at that one properly. This game playing is treating the Australian people with contempt, and you should be ashamed. 10:28 Ms FRANCE 270198 Dickson I rise to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. Global conflict is disrupting fuel supply chains, and this government is acting. We've released a fifth of our fuel from our reserves, changed export rules to keep more fuel at home and are supporting Australian refineries to produce more domestically. Our new Fuel Supply Taskforce is working directly with states and territories to make sure fuel gets to where it's needed most. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 cracks down on petrol price gouging, doubling penalties for companies that try to profit at the expense of Australian families. The Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 changes the law so that the Fair Work Commission can demand companies pay truckies when fuel prices spike. There's simply no excuse for price gouging, and our consumer watchdog will hold offenders fully accountable. There's also no excuse, really—and that's why we're acting quickly—for leaving truckies in the lurch in an international crisis. Australians are doing it tough. The cost of living is real. The pressures on household budgets are real, too. When working families in my electorate are making choices between filling up the tank or putting food on the table, they deserve to know that their government has their back, and we're taking urgent action, making sure that the companies selling them fuel are playing by the rules and, if they're not, that there are actually real consequences. That is exactly what this legislation delivers. The bill doubles the maximum penalties for false or misleading conduct and cartel behaviour to $100 million per offence. That's not a slap on the wrist; those are actual consequences. We've already increased penalties fivefold under this government to $50 million because we understood that weak penalties are no deterrent for big corporations turning over billions of dollars. Our bill goes further still because the Albanese government is serious about accountability. The Iran war has introduced genuine volatility into global oil markets. What happens in the Middle East affects what Australians pay at the bowser. That is a reality that we must acknowledge, and those opposite know this, despite what they are saying. We're putting fuel companies on notice today, and this government will not cop price gouging. This legislation sits alongside a comprehensive package of action the Albanese Labor government is taking on fuel affordability and security. We've boosted fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel and are specifically directing that to the regions. We've temporarily amended fuel standards to get more fuel into the market, petrol and diesel. This has allowed an extra 100 million litres of fuel that was destined for export into the Aussie market. We're working with the ACCC to get fuel to where it's needed, and we are ensuring that truckies get fairly compensated for fuel increases. We're strengthening our international partnerships to protect our supply chains for the long term. We've also given the ACCC more tools to do its job, including extending petrol price monitoring powers. We're in a good position to deal with this international crisis, and I dread to think where we would be right now if those opposite were in charge. Your record on fuel security is absolutely appalling. You had fuel reserves in Texas, in the United States, not Australia—fuel reserves overseas. Could you imagine trying to get them here in this crisis? You also shut down four of six fuel refineries, making storage so much more difficult. I call on those opposite to support this bill. If you genuinely believe in a fair go, if you genuinely stand with Australian consumers and Australian truckers, then you will support these bills. We are taking real action. Unlike those opposite, who are just playing games, we're actually delivering. 10:33 Ms CHANEY 300006 Curtin We are debating these two bills, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, together right now because of some ridiculous point-scoring shenanigans. This is at a time when Australians would like to see their politicians acting like adults and focusing on where we can actually make a difference. The coalition wants to say that the government is not moving fast enough and so has brought on the government's own idea and said we need to do this faster—in the absence of any better ideas, I might say. The government has responded by outsmarting the coalition using procedure and taking a double-or-nothing approach on moving fast: 'Fine, if you want us to move fast, we'll move fast on this other thing too.' This is making an absolute mockery of the idea that this House is meant to be providing scrutiny to bills. These bills were introduced yesterday or this morning. We have not had time to really consider these and their implications, and it does not do the Australian people any good to push these bills through without proper scrutiny. Both sides are to blame for this. On the substance of the bills themselves, the first one is about doubling penalties—giving the ACCC the ability to double penalties for price gouging. Now, I don't think that this will change anything actually. I don't think there are many companies in the country who say, 'Well, if it's a $50 million penalty, we're going to go for broke. But if it's $100 million penalty, that gives us pause for thought.' In reality, this is a performative move to be seen to be actually doing something. It will not in any way change the ACCC's ability to actually prosecute price fixes; it just means the numbers are different at the end of that prosecution. We do need to do more to make sure that the ACCC can appropriately prosecute price fixes. I also think that everyone's looking for a dog to kick when prices go up, and it's easy to say this is price gouging. We have a legal framework to determine if it is or not and that should be followed through as per the legal process, and doubling the penalties is not really going to change anything. The second bill is more complicated. It will effectively enable faster regulatory relief for truck drivers and transport operators during fuel price shocks without permanently changing the framework that's put there. Now, I don't know if this is a good thing or not, because this was introduced yesterday and I've not had adequate time to actually review it. I'll give you some of the questions that I would have been asking had we actually had time to look at this in a reasonable timeframe with the sober approach that Australian communities want us to have. I would be asking: How narrowly defined are the imminent and significant negative effects? What objective criteria must be met before the minister can reduce the consultation period? I would have been asking: what transparency or accountability mechanisms apply to the minister's authorisation decision, and will reasons be published? I would be asking: how does the government ensure this emergency mechanism doesn't become a de facto shortcut used in non-exceptional circumstances? I would be asking: how will the commission ensure expedited orders don't unintentionally disadvantage small transport businesses or sole operators higher up the chain? I would have asked: with reduced timeframes, how will genuine engagement with industry stakeholders be assessed and enforced in practice? I would have been asking: how will orders made under expedited timeframes be time limited or subject to automatic review once market conditions stabilise? I would ask: is the intent of the amendment strictly limited to fuel price shocks, or could it be applied to other cost pressures such as insurance or tolls or other compliance costs? I would have asked: how has consideration been given to how contractual change orders may affect competition, freight pricing and downstream consumers? I would have asked: what evidence from existing contractual chain orders show that cost-sharing mechanisms actually improve safety, sustainability and viability for drivers? And I would have asked: how does this emergency measure align with longer term reforms aimed at improving resilience, sustainability and fairness in the road transport supply chain? I don't have time to ask any of these questions. There may well be reasonable answers to these questions, and I would have been open to hearing those answers. But, because these are being rushed through the parliament in an exercise of point scoring and outsmarting using parliamentary procedure, none of these questions can actually be answered before I'm required to vote on behalf of the people of Curtin on these two pieces of legislation, and I think that's ridiculous. 10:38 Ms TRISH COOK 312871 Bullwinkel I rise today to speak in strong support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. In the electorate of Bullwinkel, our community spans from the hills to the valleys and out into the regional hubs, so, for my constituents, the cost of living isn't a theoretical debate; it's a daily reality for them, particularly so every time they pull up to a petrol pump. They deserve a fair go and they deserve to know that the laws of this land are strong enough to protect them from corporate misconduct. This bill is very simple. The punishment must fit the crime. Fines act as a deterrent. If a corporation decides to put its profits above the law, the penalty should not be seen as a mere cost of doing business; it should be a significant deterrent that stops them in their tracks. Schedule 1 of this bill gives effect to the announcement made by the Treasurer and the assistant minister two weeks ago on 11 March. It is straightforward but powerful: we are doubling the ACCC enforcement penalties. Under this measure, maximum penalties for anticompetitive conduct, including false and misleading claims and cartel behaviour, will rise from $50 million to $100 million. This applies across the entire economy, ensuring that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has the teeth it needs to bite back against those who would seek to exploit Australian families. We are introducing these changes at a time of significant global instability. As the world deals with the challenges posed by the conflict in the Middle East, our energy and fuel sectors are under immense pressure—but global pressure is no excuse for local misconduct. This measure is part of a broader suite of measures implemented by the Albanese Labor government and designed to ensure that Australians get a fair deal at the pump. We're increasing scrutiny, ramping up surveillance of the fuel sector and taking action to shore up our fuel supply, particularly in regional areas like mine in Bullwinkel, where a car isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for work, school, life and, of course, farmers. It is particularly timely to note that, on 19 March, the ACCC announced an enforcement investigation into allegations of anticompetitive conduct by major fuel suppliers Ampol, BP, Mobil and Viva Energy. While that process must take its course, it highlights exactly why we need higher penalties. We cannot have a business-as-usual approach when it comes to the essential needs of our citizens. This isn't just a tough-on-crime stance for the sake of it. It's backed by evidence. The OECD's 2026 economic survey of Australia found that our penalties for competition law breaches were low by international standards. They explicitly recommended an increase to ensure appropriate deterrence. In 2022, when penalties were increased by our government from $10 million to $50 million, the opposition supported us. We hope again that they will see reason and support us as we increase these deterrent fines from $50 million to $100 million. To be clear, this bill does not change the offences themselves. It doesn't move the goalposts for business, and businesses that are doing the right thing have nothing to fear. But, if you engage in cartel behaviour, if you mislead the public, if you coordinate to keep prices artificially high, the stakes will just double. These new maximums will apply from the day after royal assent of this bill, providing the urgency that our environment demands. This bill sends a clear message from this government that we are on the side of the consumer, we are on the side of the families in Bullwinkel and we will not hesitate to hold the biggest players in our economy to account. I commend this bill to the House. 10:43 Ms STEGGALL 175696 Warringah Well, I have to start by just calling out how ridiculous the situation that we find ourselves in this morning is. The coalition thought they would be clever and moved a motion to suspend standing orders to bring on urgent debate on legislation—the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026—to increase the penalties under the ACCC in relation to a number of offences, particularly to address concerns around fuel price gouging. Of course, as the gamesmanship between the major parties is always in play, the government responded by agreeing to that motion but amending it to include, for urgent debate, another piece of legislation—the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026—in relation to truckies. I will get to the substance of those. It's ridiculous. But, as we are so often put in this position in this place, we have to weigh up the question of proper process over the substance of an issue. Where so often these measures are used for issues that are not genuinely urgent, I do, in this situation, agree that, at the end of the day, if you're going to have game playing by both sides, you all end up with the same mess. But Australians actually want some certainty, and they want some action to happen, when it comes to fuel prices. So, despite the poor parliamentary practice seen this morning, of the coalition and the government, I agreed to hasten the debate on action on fuel prices, because there is urgency on this issue. It's not a hypothetical risk or a talking point for tomorrow. Australians are already paying more at the bowser, and hundreds of service stations across the country have been without at least one fuel type this week. In New South Wales alone, the federal government said on 24 March there were 164 stations without diesel and 289 without at least one fuel type. It's exactly why action matters now. The lesson is brutally simple: when global oil markets are shocked, Australians get hit at home through fuel, freight, food and inflation. We need to understand that genuine resilience is renewable energy resilience. Real national resilience does not come from staying hooked on imported fuel and hoping the next global shock is kinder. What is occurring in the Strait of Hormuz is a brutal reminder that overseas fuel shocks flow directly into household costs, freight costs, food prices and inflation here at home. And the stakes are high. In Warringah, I'm being told, many people are opting for public transport, but public transport is at capacity. People are trying to save on fuel use, but we do not have the public transport infrastructure or the numbers of buses to cope with the demand. In the short-term, we need transparency, enforcement and targeted relief. Stronger penalties for misleading conduct and market abuse are part of that, and direct support is better than blunt political gimmicks, which can worsen shortages. Economists quoted today warned that cutting the fuel excise would increase demand in an already strained market. It's clear we need to electrify the economy—electrify transport, expand charging infrastructure, modernise the grid and make it easier, not harder, for households and businesses to move away from oil dependence. The first piece of legislation before us, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill, is to ensure that there are greater consequences. A major part of laws and consequences for poor conduct is, ultimately, deterrence. The penalties must be significant to outweigh the benefits gained by price gouging. We need to build on that, which is what this piece of legislation does. It is designed—and I would of course have liked much more time to properly analyse it—to double the maximum penalties for false and misleading conduct and cartel behaviour, lifting the top penalty to $100 million per offence, while leaving in place the existing alternative penalty formulas, such as three times the value of the benefit obtained or 30 per cent of adjusted turnover, where applicable. While it's being sold politically in the context of the fuel price spike and the action of some retailers, it does sit alongside the broader package of reforms for a stronger ACCC, which I think is desperately needed to ensure Australians are properly protected. The other piece of legislation, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill, proposes to enable the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to authorise a reduction of the minimum six-month consultation period required before the commission can make road transport contractual chain orders, in circumstances where there are imminent and significant negative impacts on the road transport industry nationally and where it's in the public interest to reduce this timeframe. In the context of what is currently occurring in our transport sector, with fuel prices spiking, I accept that there is a need for this to be acted upon urgently, but I ask the major parties: please behave better and allow us proper scrutiny of legislation. 10:48 Mr NEUMANN HVO Blair I'm pleased to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for the ACCC Enforcement) Bill and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. In a list of issues which the Liberal and National parties really hate, I think No. 1 would be unions, No. 2 would be Medicare and No. 3 would be the transport industry. They really can't stand the transport industry. They've never supported good legislation in the transport industry. The legislation we have before the chamber today adds to the great history of Labor governments. It was the Whitlam government in 1974 that brought in trade practices legislation for the first time. Nothing was done during the 23 years of inertia of Menzies and the subsequent prime ministers of the Liberal and National parties—nothing! We brought in trade practices legislation in 1974. Lionel Murphy, as Attorney-General, set up the Trade Practices Commission, which was the predecessor of the ACCC. During nearly a decade in government, those opposite did nothing about penalties for cartel behaviour. We came in and what did we do? We introduced a penalty of $10 million, and then we increased it to $50 million. We did that, and the coalition government did nothing. Now we're going to double it to $100 million, and the coalition government, until this morning, weren't sure whether they were going to support it. Now, by the way, in this omnishambles of a coalition opposition—they've changed the leader, but there's still a mess. Even this morning we could it see with the way they voted. They didn't have a clue what they were doing. No-one was more embarrassed than the member for Wannon. I think the member for Mitchell should come back. I want to bring back Alex. I think he'd be a better Manager of Opposition Business. The legislation before the chamber is really important for Australian consumers because no new ideas and no constructive suggestions have happened from those opposite on the fuel issues and the challenges we're facing from the war in the Middle East—nothing from those opposite, just whinging and moaning and carping all the time. The conflict overseas has had an impact, and it's not an excuse to rip off Australians at service stations and at bowsers. It is simply not. We need to clamp down. I'm pleased the ACCC, in March this year, investigated a number of companies in relation to this issue. We need these higher penalties for petrol companies who do the wrong thing. That's why we're doing what we're doing. That's no excuse to jack up prices and rip off Australians. The Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill is important as well. It allows the government to amend the Fair Work Act to allow truckies and road transport businesses to make an emergency application for a contract chain order to deal with the current spike in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. I wonder whether the coalition is going to vote against what the Trucking Association says and vote against what the Transport Workers' Union says. What are they going to do today? It's going to be really interesting to see how they vote. Are they on the side of the consumers, those with cars? Are they on the side of the transport industry, the truck drivers who get the food and groceries into our stores each and every day? Under the Fair Work Act, the Fair Work Commission can require transport clients, including retailers, mining companies and manufacturers, to offer fair contract terms, ensuring that truckies and transport operators are paid enough to cover the cost of fuel. But currently that minimum of six months is required for a contract chain order. Our amendment will remove that waiting time, and the industry and the union support it. But those opposite—we wait to see whether they'll support this legislation. This is about more support for truck drivers who keep the country going. During COVID, we saw the benefit of the trucking industry—those in transport, warehouse, logistics and retail. They are absolutely vital. These new powers will ensure that truckies are paid fairer and on time, and it will help cover the high cost of fuel at the moment. We're backing our truck drivers to get a fair go, so costs can be shared fairly through the supply chain. These two pieces of legislation today come on top of all the action we've undertaken in relation to addressing affordability and security. There's not one idea from those opposite, not one single thing that they've come up with to support the industry and consumers. Not one single thing has been offered by those opposite—nothing. Where's their plan? They've got no plan once again—an opposition bereft of ideas. They were in 2022, all through the last parliament under the member for Dickson, and they continued under member for Farrer and continue under the current opposition leader. 10:53 Mr THOMPSON 281826 Herbert What we just heard in that diatribe is so far from the convention of this place. It is disgraceful that members of the government come in here to give speeches to say: 'Why won't you vote on a bill that we haven't given to you? Why won't we vote on a bill that we haven't shown the Australian people and we haven't been honest with this parliament about? Why won't you do that?' Because it's bad, bad governance—it is ridiculous to have government ministers who want to be all tricky and go, 'Oh, well, we'll just add this in at the last minute.' We haven't been able to go through the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill. It was introduced this morning, and now you want to somehow try and ram it through and say: 'Trust us. We're the Labor government.' I don't and neither do the majority of the Australian people, because as we've seen continually under this government—we have seen them hoodwink them. We've seen things hidden in bills. That's what's about to happen or is trying to happen under this government. The coalition support the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. We got it yesterday. We spent last night going through it. We looked for where all the sneaky by-lines normally are. We support it. We came in today and we offered the government an olive branch and said, 'We want to bring it on quickly—earlier—for debate so we can get it passed through here. Then it can go to the Senate and also go out into the community to make sure that big business and those fuel companies aren't ripping off the consumer.' That's what we did. As the Manager of Opposition Business was doing that, the Leader of the House saw an opportunity to play politics with a national crisis. He added a little part, an amendment, that said he wanted to ram through the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, which was introduced this morning and which we haven't had the ability to go through—and which the Australian public hasn't been able to look at, scrutinise and then give their feedback on. So we are reserving our right, as the shadow ministers right now are rushing through this bill as quickly as they can. But it's just politics after politics with this government. The real concern isn't about what happens in the bubble; it's what's happening around the country. People can't afford to put fuel in their cars. We heard from the minister. He stood in here—I think it was yesterday—and he said, 'We have the same amount of fuel as we did before the war in the Middle East.' If that is the case, why are petrol stations and fuel supplies running low? Why have fuel and petrol stations closed down? Why are people drilling into farmers' fuel tanks and draining their fuel? It is because what he said is not true. We've heard the Prime Minister previously say, 'The Australian people should only take what they need.' If you couldn't afford it a week ago, you're not going to be able to afford it in two weeks, when it goes from $3 up to $4 in Townsville. People are trying to live their lives, and now they can't afford fuel, and these petrol stations that are jacking up prices need to be held accountable. I absolutely agree with that. I absolutely agree that that has to happen, and right now this parliament should be working together. Right now elected members should be putting together the plan to make sure that people can afford fuel at the bowser so that it isn't an extra cost on them and it doesn't impact the cost-of-living crisis that they're already facing. Around the country, the real discussion is going to happen when parents wake up on Easter Day and say, 'The Easter bunny won't be coming today,' because they can't afford to buy that little bit extra that they're used to. They can't afford to drive to the shops to get it or to buy the groceries because everything has gone up. If you were to listen to the member for Wright, Scotty Buchholz, you would know that he's in the transport industry. He's the only truckie in this parliament, but no-one's reached out and said, 'What do you think we should do? How can we make this better?' All we're seeing is politics from this Labor government instead of action, and that's a shame. 10:58 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton The member for Herbert's speech in this place was interesting. This morning the opposition got up, they got out of bed and they decided that they'd try and be a little bit tricky. They decided that they would try on some more politics in this place—and they've got form. The last time we were in this chamber, we saw them talking to the Australian people irresponsibly and using a crisis in the Middle East for their own political advantage. All that the opposition found out today is that this government, the Albanese Labor government, is dead serious. We are dead serious about tackling the cost of living. We are dead serious about making sure that the Australian people get the relief that they need not just at the bowser but also on their grocery bills and on their medical costs. That is what we focus on every single day in this place. This House is here to act in the best interests of everyday Australians. This House is here to act in the national interest. This House is here to step in when people need that help. We take that responsibility incredibly seriously. Right now, people are doing it tough. Right now, when people pull up to that bowser they're worried about the impact it will have on their hip pocket. We need to do something about that, and we need to do something about that now. That is what the government is focused on. That is what the government is doing when it comes to these two bills before us here today. What Australians need now is not talk. What Australians need now is not politicking from those across the chamber. What Australians need now is action, and that is what the Albanese Labor government is doing. There are two key pieces of legislation that we are talking about today. The first bill, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, is about doubling penalties. No-one should be taking advantage, on a commercial basis, of people who are struggling to put fuel in their cars. The first bill gives effect to what the Treasurer and the assistant minister announced on 11 March—to double the ACCC's enforcement penalties, including for false and misleading conduct and for cartel behaviour, to a maximum of $100 million per offence. The second bill, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, gives truckies a fair go and makes sure that our truck drivers aren't disadvantaged by a significant issue in our community. Our road transport industry is vital to keeping our nation moving and to keeping our economy running—and that's what the second bill does. Without trucks and without their drivers, the movement of essential supplies across Australia stops—and we can't have that. We need to look after our drivers. We need to give them a fair go. Both these bills take the next step in our laser-like focus on the cost of living. They take the next step in making sure we are taking action so that mums and dads and families are not taken down by a crisis in the Middle East. We've already increased supply by releasing 20 per cent of our reserves—reserves that are now held in this country because of a Labor government and reserves that couldn't have been released if we were under a coalition government, with their reserves being kept in Texas. We've temporarily amended the fuel standards to release more supply, and we are leading a taskforce bringing together people from across the country, bringing together experts and bringing together leaders so that there can be a coordinated response to give Australians the relief they need. A crisis in the Middle East should never be exploited for commercial gain and should never be exploited for political gain. The Albanese Labor government is acting for Australians. 11:03 Mr HAMILTON 291387 Groom I come from Australia's largest inland city, a beautiful part of the world—a place that you know well, Deputy Speaker Boyce. For weeks now, this fuel supply crisis has been hurting our community. On the border, out at Dalby, we saw petrol stations run dry. I heard from farmers in that area who had to stop their harvests midway through because they did not have fuel available to them. At Wyreema, we saw the pumps run dry. I heard from families who could not afford the extra fuel costs in driving out to see elderly parents; those trips were cancelled for the weekend. In Toowoomba, two petrol stations on Taylor Street were closed down; they ran out of gas. This has impacted our community terribly. At the start of this, Labor pretended there was no supply issue. They pretended there was no problem. It was only late on Thursday of the last sitting week that Minister Bowen admitted that Australia had a crisis. That word slipped out of his mouth, I think accidentally. That wasn't the plan; he was forced into admitting that after the pressure we applied to him. Since then, he's been talking very tough about what he's going to do to those who are price gouging, who are using this opportunity to hurt others. He's been boasting for two weeks about the ACCC enforcement bill that he was going to bring and that he was going to crack down on these people. But he sat on it for two weeks. So, this morning, we called on the government to bring that legislation forward. But just before that, at 9.15 this morning—less than two hours ago—another bill was introduced to this place: the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill. It was introduced with seven minutes of speech describing it—seven minutes of the government describing that bill. That's all we got. We had no opportunity to debate it. This hasn't been through any level of scrutiny whatsoever. That's the usual process, by the way: you introduce a bill, and then we go through debate later on. But what did Labor try to do when we asked them to bring forward this bill that they've been boasting about—beating their chests about how strong they were going to be—to crack down on these people who are taking advantage of Australians? What did they do? They used the most disgusting, cunning political techniques to try and ram through a bill that has nothing to do with this. It might be a good bill. There might be things in it that we like. We might agree to it. But we would like the opportunity to debate that bill—for it to go through the proper process. That's what we're calling for. That's what we're brought to this place to do—to debate bills and hopefully create a better set of rules for Australia to work within. Instead of that opportunity being given to representatives of communities like mine, this government decided to ram that bill through underneath the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill, which we support. We came here and moved a suspension of standing orders to bring forward this legislation that they had been sitting on and boasting about. It was the only talking point that they could give when they were put under pressure and asked what they were going to do about the fuel supply crisis—'We're going to crack down.' So we said, 'Bring it on.' And the response, from a government whose integrity has been called into question time and time again and who refuse to stand and be held to account to the normal practices of parliament, has been absolutely disgusting. We've watched it here today. I go back to this point: the reason we called for the ACCC enforcement bill to be brought forward was that we come from communities where we're seeing these problems. We're talking to these people. We're hearing from business owners who simply cannot afford the additional cashflow that an extra dollar per litre is putting on them. That's why we called to bring this forward. We're trying to look after our communities and we have a government who won't do anything. I'm going to finish on one last point. The fair work amendment that they've brought forward may the best thing they've ever done. Who knows? They could have been struck by a fit of composure and put something that's actually worthwhile on the table. We've heard all about how they care about truckies; the only truckie in this place is over there. I care about that bloke. I care about his democratic rights to be able to scrutinise and debate a bill that's been put before the parliament. This has been an absolute disgrace from this government. 11:08 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt What we are dealing with right now is global in nature and scale but is being felt domestically right here at home. The war in the Middle East is seriously impacting supply chains and pushing up the cost of fuel around the world. Australia is not immune to that volatility, and we know that higher fuel prices are putting real pressure on households, small businesses, farmers and transport workers across the country. We recognise that, and that is exactly why the Albanese Labor government is taking decisive, coordinated action. At the centre of that response is protecting consumers from being ripped off. So we've introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill, which operates to double penalties for serious misconduct, lifting maximum penalties for false or misleading conduct to $100 million per offence. Let me be clear: the conflict overseas is not an excuse to profit from Australians, so we're putting the fuel sector on notice. We will not accept big corporates treating Australian motorists unfairly, and that's why we're empowering the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and issue on-the-spot fines. We are calling on those opposite to support this legislation and stand with Australian consumers. But accountability is only one part of the picture. The government is also taking strong action to secure fuel supply during a period of global instability. The Prime Minister convened national cabinet to deliver a truly national response, so states and territories can distribute fuel to where it's needed most, particularly regional Australia, while the Commonwealth focuses on supply. We've appointed a national Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator. We've begun releasing 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves, courtesy of our minimum stockholding obligation. We've changed petrol and diesel standards to get more fuel flowing quickly, and we've backed Australia's oil refineries so they can keep producing fuel here at home. We've made sure that all the fuel we are making in Australia is used in Australia, and we're engaging closely with our international trading partners to keep supply chains open. This coordinated national leadership began when this war began, and Australia was better prepared because we had already strengthened our fuel security settings. We will continue to act in the national interest because delivering for Australians is our priority. But these global events also point to a bigger truth. Every global fuel shock reminds us why Australia must become less reliant on imported fuels that are vulnerable to conflict and international volatility. The long-term answer to that is energy self-resilience. That means continuing the transition to cleaner, more secure energy made here in Australia—renewables, electrification, batteries and cleaner fuels that reduce exposure to global shocks and put downward pressure on costs over time. This includes sustainable aviation fuel, which has an important role to play in decarbonising aviation, whilst strengthening fuel security. In a world of fuel shocks and price spikes, sustainable aviation fuel is no longer just an environmental choice; it's an increasingly economic proposition. In my role as chair of Parliamentary Friends of Aviation, I recently attended the GreenSkies sustainability summit at Qantas headquarters in Sydney. That summit brought together leaders from the aviation industry, businesses and academia, all focused on the future of sustainable aviation. A clear message came through: the aviation sector sees the benefit of sustainable aviation fuel and is already moving in that direction. Discussions focused on scaling up research and development, building domestic capability, and on the importance of strong partnerships between government, industry and universities to turn innovation into reality, at the same time as reducing the costs of production and all costs throughout the supply chain, which is critical if sustainable aviation fuel is to be feasible. Importantly, industry understands that decarbonisation and economic growth go hand in hand. Sustainable aviation fuel supports regional connectivity, national productivity and supply resilience, while reducing emissions and reliance on imported fuel. This is exactly what a future made in Australia looks like—more energy and manufacturing sovereignty, stronger industries and a more resilient economy. This is an Albanese Labor government key priority. 11:13 Mr CALDWELL 306489 Fadden I rise today, on Thursday, being the last sitting day of this parliamentary week, knowing that when I head home tonight to the Gold Coast, the expectation of my community is that we've done something constructive while we've been down here in Canberra. They don't like the talkfests. They don't like the attacking of each other. They just want the problems that they're facing in their day-to-day lives solved. So this morning the coalition came in to this place and offered to bring forward this ACCC legislation in order for this week to not be lost entirely in what it could achieve. Outside of this legislation this week, what is it that the Albanese Labor government can say they've done, hand on heart, to try and fix this fuel crisis? Not much. So we came in here and said, 'Let's bring this forward.' Now, it's a fair question: why would you bring it forward at this point in time? I'll tell you why. Because the Treasurer and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy actually announced this initiative back on 11 March. Today is 26 March, so, for 15 days, the fuel crisis has raged in suburbs, country towns and farms all over this country, and we didn't even have legislation until yesterday. The Australian people deserve better than that from their government. I'm very, very disappointed for the Australian people that this Labor government seems to have lost control of this crisis. There's no comprehensive plan. There are no ideas that are coming in a package. They are dealing with this in a haphazard and panicked fashion, and it's the people of Australia who are paying the price now. Every Australian is feeling this. I walked into my office this morning, pretty early, and on the front page of TheAustralian it said, 'Epidemic of empty'. Now, I just don't know at what point the penny is going to drop to this Labor government that Australians are expecting and they deserve real action to be taken. I started getting text messages this morning from people in my electorate heading down Bayview Street who have said, 'Holy smokes, diesel $3.15—an urban area, $3.15!' Everyone wants you to believe that diesel is just some sort of choice for a SUV that you drive around the city. It's not. You see, diesel is what puts the food on the table. It's what the farmers use in their equipment. It's what the truckies use in their trucks. It's what industry uses to manufacture. This is not a choice. The majority of fuel used in Australia is diesel. So if my local community are paying $3.15, and they have the benefit of being able to get some of it, imagine how the farmers are feeling in western Queensland, where they can't even get it, let alone pay a higher price for it. This is the tragedy of what is unfolding. We had a media announcement 15 days ago, and that legislation only just turned up this week. It was the coalition who decided to be the adults in the room and say, 'Let's get this done today.' Because when I go home tonight, I really want to be able to say to my community, 'We did something in Canberra this week. We actually tried to help.' There have been some mentions of politicking on the other side. There are no politics in this. This is about the people of Australia. The minister at the table scoffs in a disgraceful fashion, showing an absolute complete disregard for the pain that people are feeling right across Australia. So I'm proud to have stood here today as a member of the coalition to get this done. 11:18 Ms THWAITES 282212 Jagajaga This is a government that is serious about protecting consumers in communities like mine in Jagajaga and right around this country. We do understand that, when prices go up, people feel it at the supermarket, in their bills, and at the moment they are feeling it at the petrol pump. At this time of global uncertainty, people in my community do want to know: 'Am I getting a fair go here?' And that is what this legislation is about. It is about a fair go—about making sure Australians are not taken for a ride. We do all understand that global events at the moment are impacting fuel prices. We know that conflict is creating volatility. There is uncertainty in global supply chains, and we are feeling the effects of those here in Australia. Let's be very clear: what this legislation, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, is very clear about is that those global pressures are not an excuse for misconduct. They are not an excuse for misleading conduct or price manipulation, and they're certainly not an excuse for big corporations to treat Australian consumers like mugs. That's why the bill doubles penalties for those who do the wrong thing, lifting maximum penalties to $100 million per offence, because, if you're looking to rip off Australians, there should be real consequences for it. I'm certain that in my community people expect nothing less. I really understand that, at the moment, households in my community and others are doing all they can to manage their costs. People are shopping around. They are budgeting carefully. When they are doing this, the least they can expect is that the system is fair and that companies are playing by the rules. That is what we are achieving with this bill. With the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, we are also making sure that hardworking truckies and smaller road transport businesses are not pushed to the brink by severe cost shocks. We know that truck drivers and businesses are a critical part of Australia's daily economy. They are the people ensuring that food and goods are delivered where they're needed, and this government has got their backs. We know that truckies and transport operators need to be protected from fuel price rises, and it is important that costs are shared fairly through the supply chain. This is making sure that the independent Fair Work Commission can act quickly to deal with these issues, as I said, recognising that this is a critical part of Australia's daily economy. The truck drivers, these businesses, are ensuring food and goods are delivered to where they're needed, and, as they're doing it, this government is with them. We have their backs. This of course builds on action we've already taken. We've heard some posturing from those opposite about how this government has done nothing. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. This government has already increased penalties significantly and strengthened the powers of the ACCC, including expanding petrol price monitoring on-the-spot fines to crack down on bad behaviour. We have appointed a national fuel supply taskforce coordinator. We've begun the release of 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves. We've changed petrol standards to get more fuel flowing. So I would invite those opposite to keep up to date. Pay attention. I do want to be very clear for them: this is a moment. We came in this morning and we saw a stunt from the opposition—not a very well-thought-through stunt, but nevertheless it was in fact a stunt. I think what communities like mine will see from that is that those opposite actually have a disregard for what they are feeling at the moment. Those opposite come in here to pull stunts, but we come in here to do the work for the Australian people. We come in here also knowing their record from when they were in government, which I'm afraid to say was appalling. They talked tough, but they didn't act for communities like mine and those across the country. They let penalties sit at levels that big corporations could treat as the cost of doing business. They failed to properly empower regulators to crack down on misconduct, and Australians paid the price for that. People in my community paid the price for that. There was less accountability and a growing sense for people that the system just wasn't working in their favour. Well, that's the difference here. This government wants to ensure that the system works for Australians. We want to make sure that people are getting a fair go. We understand that this is a difficult time and that global events are putting pressures into our system. As a government we take that seriously. We take our responsibility seriously and we are acting. 11:23 Mr WALLACE 265967 Fisher It is a matter of urgency in this country that we are debating these bills. This is urgent, very urgent. Australians are suffering like never before. A fuel crisis is hitting families, small businesses and entire communities across this country. The whole time I am down here, I am getting phone calls and text messages and emails from trucking companies, farmers and fishers telling me that, if they can get fuel, diesel is now north of $3.15 a litre. My fishermen are telling me that there is now no point in going to sea, because, if they can actually afford to put the fuel in their tanks, whatever they catch will be so expensive that the punters won't pay for it. So my fishermen are tying up their boats. They're going to have to put staff off, because, if you're not catching fish, you can't process the fish and you can't sell the fish. This is very real. This is the thing that the other side just does not get. I sat here during the MPI yesterday and listened to the member for Wills talk about how horrible it was that a person was filling up a jerry can. That's the thing with the other side; they have no concept of reality. How many businesses out there require fuel to be placed in jerry cans so they are able to use it in their compactors, petrol-driven concrete mixers or generators. This mob over here have got no idea. Why? It's because they've never run a business before. It's been school, uni, union, parliament. They've never run a business. They've never had a trade. They have no concept of how the real world operates. We have a situation where this country could very well be on its knees because this government not only did not plan for these contingencies; it's still sticking its head in the sand. Those members opposite in government are still kidding themselves that there'd be no problem to see here if only Australians would not panic. They're too busy blaming Australians to try to do their job. They're in government. They're not in opposition, in exile. They pull the strings. They control the policies and the settings which enable us, as a country, to deal with these crises. Government is hard, so they need to come to the party. They actually need to be honest with the Australian people. Don't stick your heads in the sand and say that it's all good. If it's all good, why are there more than 500 petrol stations in this country with no fuel today? It is not good enough. This issue is not just about price; it's about supply. We're seeing reports of fuel stations running dry. Access is being restricted. Regional urban communities like mine are being hit the hardest. On the Sunshine Coast, as I said, fishermen are telling me that they are struggling. They are having to put people off. This is not theoretical; this is happening now. This parliament needs to focus on getting fuel flowing and getting prices under control, and these bills— (Time expired) 11:29 Ms MILLER-FROST 296272 Boothby I rise to speak to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. These legislative amendments will allow the minister to streamline emergency applications in relation to a road transport contractual chain if it is viewed to be in the national interest and will have impacts on the road transport industry. Truckers, who perform a crucial role in our supply chain economy, should not have to pay exorbitant sums to be able to do their basic job. We know that the Middle East has drastically changed the provision of fuel in this country and around the world, and hikes in petrol prices are to be expected, but it was on the very day that the conflict started in Iran that petrol retailers began to increase their prices, and this is wrong. The situation had not changed in Australia. Australia's fuel supply remains secure. International fuel prices and standards can certainly influence domestic prices, but these ordinarily bear on Australia's domestic prices two weeks after the fact, not on the very day or the day after. Petrol companies are making hay in the conflict in the Middle East and exploiting their customers, Australians. Constituents in my electorate of Boothby are now having to pay more at the pump because of this anticompetitive behaviour. Currently we're paying around $2.38, an increase of 20c, and we know that in the regions it is much, much higher. Understandably, my constituents feel there is no end in sight, as prices rise steadily and interminably and we see what is happening overseas. I, as has the Treasurer, have written to the Chair of the ACCC to ensure that they are properly monitoring this behaviour. The Albanese Labor government is on the side of hardworking Australians who should not have to pay inflated prices to get to their job in order to make ends meet. The Albanese Labor government is working to ensure that all Australians will be able to fill up their tank at market-standard prices. Indeed the Albanese Labor government is introducing this legislation to double penalties for price manipulation at the bowser. We have convened National Cabinet so that federal, state and territory governments are able to co-ordinate a comprehensive and substantive response to the fuel crisis. We've appointed a national Fuel Supply Taskforce coordinator, who will co-ordinate the government's and the state and territory governments' responses to fuel security and supply chain resilience, and engage with overseas partners to ensure that we can keep supply coming. Australia has begun to release 20 per cent of its fuel reserves, reinforcing our fuel-secure status, and luckily those reserves are actually onshore in Australia, not in Texas, where those opposite thought they should be. We've also relaxed petrol and diesel standards in order to increase our fuel supply. This legislation to double penalties for petrol companies for price gouging to $100 million per offence is about giving Australia a fair go. While those opposite play political games, stunts, by calling on this legislation to be urgently passed—'very urgent' we heard from the last speaker—those in the other place on their side are referring it to a committee. Then, when we put it to a vote here, they voted against it anyway. Those opposite are playing very badly strategically planned stunts while this government has the backs of all Australians, and I'd call on those opposite to stop the stunts and stop the games. This is urgent. We need to get it through. You need to vote for it. You need to tell those in the other place that they need to vote for it as well. This is an urgent thing, and we really need all of us. We're elected to look after Australians. We all need to do what is right for our constituents and get this legislation through. 11:33 Mr BUCHHOLZ 230531 Wright To those in the gallery and my fellow Australians, I say: be wary of a bill that comes to this House rushed and be wary of a bill that comes here at the pace that this has. Before being elected and being given the privilege to represent the people of Wright, I was a transport operator. I had 14 transport depots around the state of Queensland. I employed over 100 people, so it galls me when those on the other side come in here and say no-one understands transport, and that the Liberal Party and the LNP despise unions and despise the transport sector. That gets under my gut. I don't profess to be a good politician, but I do represent my people well, and I know that what we are debating here at the moment does little to affect my farmers, my transport operators and my growers. In the time remaining on this bill, what we should be talking about—as a government, as an opposition—is fuel excise. We should be talking about the levers that we can pull now. For every litre of fuel, there's 52.6c in fuel excise. We should be discussing what we should be doing with that. We should be having that conversation as mature politicians, but they won't come to the party on it. They won't have that discussion. We should be discussing fuel excise—whether or not we trim it or freeze it all together and give an instant 52.6c off the bowser price as of this afternoon. And, if we're going to have that conversation, then we need to be asking the next responsible question: what's the opportunity cost? If we've committed to road infrastructure and that money was earmarked to pay for it, what would the unintended consequences be of having to halt road construction as a result of that fuel excise money not flowing? I don't know what the answer is, but let's have that conversation. Let's have the conversation about maybe even halving the excise and staging it over a period of time. None of us know how long this conflict is going to go on for. The only thing I know is that no-one on the other side is going to bring a solution. And I can assure you that the doubling of penalties will do little or nothing to change the bowser price of fuel in this country—if you can get a litre of fuel! Yesterday, here in the chamber, we heard the Minister for Climate Change and Energy unashamedly say how many service stations are out of fuel. Now, I don't say that anything other than the conflict in the Middle East is to blame. I'm not here to play the politics. Like I said, I'm not good at that. But I am good at fixing problems. I'm good at getting stuff from A to B. I made a lot of money out of it. And I reckon I could fix this. I invite the parliament to engage with us, either on the floor of parliament or behind the scenes. I don't care where we have the conversation, but let's start having a conversation about what fuel excise looks like, because we heard member after member on the other side come into this parliament and say, 'We step in when people need help.' Well, that's not help. Doubling the penalties is not help. It won't change the price at all. We need to do something. I'm suggesting the fuel excise has got far more ramification, far more of a sense of instant relief at the bowser—instant relief for my growers. I've got a distributor up in my electorate. He normally picks up about nine B-double loads from the terminal in Brisbane every week—450 farmers, two shire councils, three bus companies, six servos. Last week, he had two B-double loads. This week, he's been told there's none. The flow-on effects into our community are horrendous. And, if you think we've got problems today, come back in a month's time, when we don't have fuel. They're going to be a lot worse then. I invite the Prime Minister, the energy minister, anyone who's got carriage of these bills. I will talk to you about a genuine conversation around fuel excise which helps the punter this afternoon. 11:38 Mr MONCRIEFF 316540 Hughes Fuel keeps my community moving. In suburbs like Menai, Hammondville, Woronora Heights, Macquarie Links, Bangor, Alfords Point and Bonnet Bay, there is no train station. In suburbs like that, the car is essential. Families rely on the supply of fuel from petrol stations to live their lives, to take the kids to soccer training, to pick up their groceries for dinner, to check in on their elderly parents. It's part of getting to work early in the morning and picking up the kids in the afternoon. It keeps small businesses moving and allows us to stay connected to services and our community, when they are often some distance away. Fuel companies know this, and there are so many patriotic Australians in the fuel sector who take that responsibility seriously. But what the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 does is ensure that the bad actors who are seeking to make a quick buck off the volatility that international conflict has brought to 2026 are held accountable for their responsibilities. When petrol prices move, households feel it immediately. When prices spike without explanation, people notice. When people suspect they are being taken advantage of, trust in the system erodes quickly. This legislation is about restoring and protecting that trust. These bills speak directly to the everyday experience of people in my electorate in southern Sydney. Global instability has created volatility in oil and fuel markets. My community understands that international events can affect prices here at home. What they expect, however, is honesty, transparency and fair conduct from companies operating in Australia—and we agree. That expectation is reasonable, and it's exactly what these bills reinforce. For my community, petrol isn't an optional extra; it's how people get to work, run their businesses and keep family life moving. When prices jump without clear reason, people feel it straightaway. We know that fuel prices are susceptible to international prices. We know we can't control the international price of oil. But these bills make one thing clear: international conflict is not an excuse to rip off Australians. If petrol companies mislead customers or rip off people, the penalties will be serious. We're backing strong rules, real enforcement and fair prices at the pump because Australians deserve a fair go. These bills build on reforms already delivered by the Albanese Labor government. Penalties were increased to $50 million. The ACCC was given stronger powers, including petrol price monitoring and the ability to issue on-the-spot fines. Those changes strengthen oversight. This legislation ensures enforcement remains effective and credible as markets evolve. For the fuel sector, that credibility is critical. Petrol is an essential cost. Trades rely on it. Small business relies on it. Families rely on it. Strong enforcement helps ensure fair conduct across the market. These bills build on practical action taken by this government to maintain supply and security and to improve fuel accessibility. We are boosting supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel. We are temporarily amending fuel standards to increase supply. We are working with the ACCC to ensure fuel can move to where it's needed most while strengthening price monitoring and transparency. We are engaging internationally to protect Australia's fuel supply chains in an increasingly uncertain global environment. In addition to that, we've appointed the Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator, Anthea Harris, to ensure fuel is getting to where it's needed most. Recent global events have added pressure to fuel markets. Australia cannot control global volatility, but we can control how strongly we protect consumers at home. These bills strengthen accountability, reinforce deterrence and ensure that the consequences for wrongdoing reflect the harm caused to real people and real businesses. This should be a shared priority across the parliament. I note the member for Wright has said we should be wary of the rush. My community can't wait for reliability of fuel price. Those opposite need to get on board and support a real measure that will make a tangible difference in the lives of Australians who are paying for fuel. The Albanese Labor government's priorities are clear. We're addressing inflation, we're supporting productivity and we're protecting Australians through global uncertainty. Those opposite need to get on board for the sake of Australians right across the country. Ensuring fairer petrol prices and stronger enforcement is essential to the task of looking after Australians in a time of international uncertainty. 11:43 Mr WILLCOX 286535 Dawson I rise to speak to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. But I am a little bit confused about this. My question is: where did this come from? This just shows how this government is struggling. The Minister for Climate Change and Energy stood up here and said there are no fuel supply issues. As a matter of fact, he even got up and said that Australia has more fuel supply in the country now than before the Iran incident. That is absolutely amazing. So we don't have a supply issue; we must have a distribution issue. On doubling the penalties for ACCC enforcement, my question would be: how much enforcement has been had by the ACCC so far? Can anybody point to me how many people have been prosecuted? Anybody? Crickets! I just don't think it's happening. Then, all of a sudden, we're going to double the penalties for something that's not even happening. That's why the coalition put in place and launched yesterday No Fuel Here. You can go to www.nofuelhere.com.au. That is a live reporting tool that everybody can jump on and say what service stations are out of fuel. We were told by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy yesterday that there were over 500 service stations that didn't have fuel. Again, I definitely think there's a distribution problem if we don't have a supply problem, but I believe it's both. By launching www.nofuelhere.com.au, this will put power into the hands of constituents, who can then report, and it will be a live tool. The residents in Dawson are struggling. They're struggling under the Albanese Labor created cost-of-living crisis, and, now, the extra price gouging that is happening from fuel is just adding insult to injury. We're seeing price increases of up to 40 cents in a day, and it keeps going. We're seeing fuel on the outskirts of Mackay now at $3.25 per litre, and that is simply not sustainable. You hear talk from those opposite that there might be some rationing. Rationing in rural and regional Australia simply will not work. If you put $40 in the tank, then that's not going to get you very far. In my electorate, that's over 400 kilometres long, they'll be chasing fuel station to fuel station. People will be driving around, burning diesel or burning petrol, just looking for where they can buy their next bit of petrol. It just simply does not work. It's so important that the fuel flows to the regions because that's where the royalties come from, that's where the food comes from and that is the heart of Australia. What we're witnessing here is a fundamental failure of logic and leadership from this government. They've dumped an amendment to the legislation on the desk and demanded that we blindly support two bills. This is a government that expects this House to rubberstamp their agenda without even a single second of proper scrutiny. It is an insult to the Australian people. We're facing a national emergency, yet we're being forced to debate these bills together—a double-or-nothing legislative gamble. These are mafia tactics from a government who are clearly taking their tips from the CFMEU—speed over substance, power of people. The Australian people deserve a parliament that acts with transparency instead. We're being blindsided by a government that refuses to allow time for consultation. How are we meant to speak with the independent fuel providers when the government rushes legislation through in the dark of night? It is a fundamental truth that we cannot have a functioning democracy without scrutiny, but this government seems to believe they have the numbers and can just shake us down. Doubling the penalties for the ACCC is not going to be a success. Let's make sure the government enforces what's there— (Time expired) 11:48 Mr GOSLING 245392 Solomon Our government, the Albanese government, has introduced new legislation to help consumers get a fair go at the petrol pump, with bigger penalties for misconduct, including in the fuel sector. The conflict, the war currently overseas, shouldn't be an excuse for profiteering from Australians. We have to support our truckies, and we won't cop big corporates treating Australian consumers like mugs. The Albanese government is helping Australia's trucking industry manage the impacts of the war in the Middle East, ensuring truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises. We want to change the law so that the Fair Work Commission can demand that companies pay truckies fairly when fuel prices spike. With global uncertainty leading to significant impacts on our transport industry, our government is taking practical action to support the truckies and transport operators who keep the Australian economy moving. The government will amend the Fair Work Act to allow truckies and road transport businesses to make an emergency application for a contract chain order to deal with the current spike in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East, and, under the Fair Work Act, the Fair Work Commission can require transport clients, including retailers, mining companies and manufacturers, to offer fair contract terms, ensuring that truckies and transport operators are paid enough to cover the cost of fuel. Currently, a minimum of six months is required for a contract chain order, and our amendment will remove that wait time, so truckies and transport operators aren't left to worry about managing rising costs on their own. I want to provide some context on the importance of retailers, wholesalers and everyone doing the right thing. Louise Bilato, Executive Officer of the Northern Territory Road Transport Association, said: A sizeable portion of the NT's road transport fleet is comprised of owner-drivers and small trucking businesses. These family businesses are already experiencing financial strain and their financial circumstances will worsen in the next month as they are forced to pay exorbitant prices for diesel. There is a high likelihood that some transport operators will be forced into administration or bankruptcy— without the sort of action that is required to make sure that people are doing the right thing. We're calling on the Liberals and Nationals to vote for this bill that will legislate higher penalties for petrol companies that do the wrong thing by transport operators and by all Australians. This is on top of all the other action we're taking to address fuel affordability and security. We have introduced new laws to double penalties for petrol companies that are price gouging, which this bill has been discussing as well. We've begun the release of 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves. We've changed petrol standards temporarily to get more fuel flowing and changed diesel standards so Australia's refineries can supply more diesel. We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and issue on-the-spot fines. We've engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing. We've convened the National Cabinet with states and territories. We've appointed a national fuel supply taskforce coordinator. We've engaged with the states and territories on supply and distribution, including holding a special energy ministers meeting; activating the National Coordination Mechanism, which has already met twice; and convening the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee six times. We're also unlocking $2 million in financial counselling funding for impacted farmers and changing the law in order to make it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding when they run at a loss. When it comes to our fairer fuel bill and doubling penalties for ACCC enforcement, it is essential that, in order to support our trucking companies and in order to support everyday Territorians and everyday Aussies, these companies are held to account, and maximising the fines will provide an effective disincentive. Despite what some opposite have said, there have been huge fines handed out to petrol companies that have done the wrong thing, and that will continue and be much harsher now. 11:53 Mr KENNEDY 267506 Cook Just last weekend I'd run the tank dry. I went to my local servo in Gymea Bay and I filled up. I watched it go higher and higher and higher and, before I knew it, I was over 200 bucks. I made a video about it straight after that, just because I could not believe that, when filling up only a couple of weeks earlier, it was basically half the price. Now, this isn't a luxury. This wasn't for a road trip. This wasn't for a getaway. This was to get the family around the town. This isn't a future problem; it's happening right now. And when fuel prices hit this level, everything changes. Families start doing maths about everyday life. They say: 'Do we drive to sport this weekend? Can we go away this Easter? Can we afford a holiday? Do we go away at all? Do we stay at home? Do we start cutting back on groceries? Can we afford next month's school fees?' That's the reality everyday families are living right across Australia. Yes, the war on Iran may not have been foreseeable, but what is foreseeable is how quickly you react and how you get across your brief. And, unfortunately, all everyday Australians are having to adjust their way of life faster than this government has been able to adjust to a fuel crisis. You can't tell everyone that everything is fine on a Monday and then on Friday call it a national crisis. As soon as this started, what would happen was absolutely foreseeable. This government was caught flat footed, and they still are. While we welcome the doubling of ACCC penalties, there's more the government should have been looking at. Earlier we heard from Scotty Buchholz in here—a man who has dedicated a huge proportion of his life to trucking, who owned 14 depots right across this country, who understands this industry. For him, this isn't policy. It's not a piece of legislation. It's not words on paper. He knows the people in this industry who are going to go bankrupt without adequate help. And, when they go bankrupt and stop delivering food to supermarket shelves and when crops stop getting sowed, it's everyday Australians that'll pay, and we risk stagflation. What he raised was: should we be looking at adjusting the fuel excise? Why is the government not having discussions on these topics—on road-user charging, on fuel excise—which would provide relief overnight to truck drivers right across the country? Yes, we support doubling these penalties, but the ACCC takes time. They have to investigate cases. They have to create litigation. Australians need relief now. They need relief urgently. They are doing the maths right now on how they will get through Easter. I personally spoke to two trucking companies this week who are worried about going insolvent, and, when they go insolvent—they have customers who they deliver to. They go to Bunnings. They go to Woolies. They go to Coles. It's not just a bush issue. Right now, it may be. People in the cities might say, 'The worst thing that's happening to me is paying 200 bucks for a tank,' and that's pretty bad. But it could soon get much worse. When you start having road transport break down, you get shortages on supermarket shelves, you get unemployment spiking and you get inflation going through the roof. The truth is that Australia was already experiencing the highest inflation of any advanced economy in the world. What should the federal government be doing? They should be protecting everyday Australians from international shocks. Instead, this government and Treasurer Chalmers had Australians flailing in the wind, with the highest inflation in the advanced world. So, when this international shock came through, it hit us like a freight train. Yes, you'd much rather be in the US. You'd much rather be in the UK or Japan. You would much rather be in any other advanced country in the world because they had lower inflation to begin with and lower interest rates, and, because they were not caught as flat footed as Australia was, petrol prices have gone up less in those countries than in Australia. So, yes, the trigger for this event may not have been foreseeable, but how you react, how you prepare and how you get across your brief is. Unfortunately, disappointingly, Australians working across the suburbs of Gymea, Cronulla and Caringbah are paying the price for this. You're paying it at the bowser. You may soon be paying it at the supermarket. We will do what we can to work with this government to give you relief. 11:58 Mr HOLZBERGER 88411 Forde As a new member of this place, there's still so much that I have to learn. One thing I've learned over the last few days is that, when members of the opposition are talking from the dispatch box, they don't generally look around the room. They like looking in that direction, which I guess is so that they get themselves on camera, because, actually, all they're really doing is making a social media video. They're not really contributing to the debate that's taking place in this parliament—not all of them, of course. I think that what we're seeing here is a complete abrogation of their responsibility to take part seriously in this debate. So, to that end, I would implore them to support this legislation, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026. The member for Cook talked about the urgency of all of this, yet they're not prepared to act urgently. In fact, I remembered during those crises of the term 'to be alert but not alarmed', whereas the opposition actually seem to have it the other way around. They're being alarmed but not alert, otherwise they wouldn't be coming in here asking ridiculous questions of the government such as if they will co-ordinate a national response after they've already had a National Cabinet meeting. They would actually be on top of what's going on rather than trying to score political points. I have got to say, in my short 53 years on this Earth, there has really only been one national crisis that I have lived through, which was COVID. Do you know what the Labor Party did on that? They worked with the government at the time in the nation's best interest. To give a little bit of free political advice to the opposition, do you know what happened to the Labor Party after we worked with the then government? We won an election because actually the smart thing to do politically is to put differences aside and act in the national interest. You know what Australians hate most of all? They hate division in this place at a moment of national crisis. I realise this is free advice, which is unsolicited, but you're going to pay. You're going to pay for it out there in the electorate for the stance that you're taking. Mark my words. It is exactly the sort of behaviour that has seen your party become a total irrelevance. It really gets to the point where it's not worth talking so much about what this opposition is doing, because they have now got themselves into such a position that, out there in the community, they aren't even the real opposition. Please take heed of that advice and act in the national interest. Act like the sort of responsible adults that the people in our community expect us all to act like. It will pay political dividends as well as national dividends. This legislation is exactly designed for the moment. These two bills are designed to do two things. As the member for Cook indicated earlier—and Deputy Speaker Buchholz yourself, who was heavily involved in trucking, like my neighbour. I know firsthand, from working in construction and running a construction business, how important those fuel costs are and how important it is that we get those deliveries on time. So these pieces of legislation deal with that. They give certainty to truckies that they're going to be able to negotiate a fair deal that's going to be able to keep their trucks moving and get those materials delivered to site or the goods delivered to supermarkets. The other thing it does as well is it gives powers to the government and the ACCC to actually properly prosecute companies that are profiteering out of this. We know—as if the member for Cook was telling us something we don't know!—what is going on out there, but the difference between us and the opposition is that we're acting on it, and they're point scoring. We're out there taking effective measures; they're out there collecting data and asking for people's emails. We're out there acting in the national interest, and they're out there acting in what they think is their very narrow political interest. I would appeal to them to support this legislation. This needs to happen quickly. It needs to happen urgently, and all of the urgency that the other side have been talking about needs to be more than words. They need to stop making social media videos. They need to start acting in the national interest, and the best thing they could do would be start by supporting these bills. 12:04 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee What we have heard from the Labor Party for the last two weeks is that people should stop panic-buying. It's apparently Australia's fault that we don't have the fuel that we need. We should stop panic-buying. What we are actually seeing today is the Labor government, under Prime Minister Albanese, panic-legislating. That's what they're doing. They're panic-legislating because they have been left flat footed. People in Australia are going through a cost-of-living crisis. They have had energy bills go through the roof. Inflation continues to rise. Interest rates on mortgages continue to rise. Rents continue to rise. And now we have trucks who cannot deliver and are at risk of folding their small businesses. This absolutely lies at the feet of the Albanese government. It is not Australia's fault that this is happening. It is not the panic buying that has caused this today. Today I just got off the phone from one of the farmers. He happens to have a small fuel depot in Robinvale. He has just told me that he's talked to citrus growers in my electorate who are literally in the process of deciding whether they will take the fruit off the tree to deliver to market or not. We hear today that one in five farmers is making the decision not to sow a crop. What is this Labor government doing about it? Well, you know what? They're panic legislating, finally getting the ACCC to do their job, and they're allowing truckies to put their prices up according to the fuel they're paying for. Great! Guess what. There is a flow-on effect, Labor. Prime Minister Albanese needs to understand that, if people cannot afford their groceries and they cannot afford vegetables, they won't buy them. Guess what happens when Australians don't eat fresh vegetables and fruit. You know what. They get sick. So our health prices will also go up. The amount of trouble that people in the regions have trying to get health services now—many of them are having to drive to get to those health services. I had a woman write to me this week who said that she cancelled her health appointment because she couldn't get fuel to put in her car to get to see her doctor. Great! Just fantastic—all under the Labor government. The Labor government need to stop blaming Australians, and they need to take responsibility. What we have now is a panicked government who is making last-minute decisions to throw in legislation, of course, in an omnibus fashion—always. 'Let's throw this in, and let's throw that in.' And, if we, the opposition, don't approve it, then it's all on us. You know what? The previous speaker just blamed the coalition for the mess that Australia is in. No, we will not accept that. This is absolutely Prime Minister Albanese's problem to fix. As for the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, where do I start? Last week—'No problem at all with supply.' Three days later, suddenly we've got a fuel crisis. Did we see that coming? If only somebody had told him! So now we are trying to mop up the mess that Labor have created. I don't think that we can overestimate the poor decision-making and the poor processes that this government have put in place. They are late to come to the table, late to call the meetings—they're pretty fond of meetings; I've got to say. They love having the roundtable to have the discussions. What decisions are being made? 'Oh, we'd better rush and make some legislation that looks like we're doing something.' Australians are going to wear the cost of the failures of this government into the future. Who knows how long into the future? I am deeply worried about farmers who are choosing not to pick fruit, farmers who will not grow crops. Everyday Australians and families trying to put food on their table will be wearing the cost of the incompetence of this government. 12:09 Ms TEMPLEMAN 181810 Macquarie Whether you're a teacher commuting from the mountains to a school on the plains; a disability worker driving a client you support; a turf farmer, construction worker or truckie operating diesel vehicles; or a family just trying to keep the wheels turning, the price at the pump is hurting and availability has been hard. I know we've had petrol stations in my electorate out of one or more fuels. It's constantly changing and in flux as the supply continues to flow through. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 are designed to add to the work we've already done to respond very promptly to the world environment that we're seeing. They're designed to do two things. The first is to protect consumers from petrol price gouging, and the second is to provide the trucking industry with a way to respond and manage the impacts of the war. We are less interested in blaming someone for what's happened and more interested in solutions, and I really urge those opposite to support the solutions. These are two key parts of the things that we can do in this unprecedented situation. All they seem to be saying is, 'You're doing it too fast and you should have done it before.' I'm really not interested in debating that rhetoric. Let's look at the practical things that the Albanese government is doing. One is the new legislation to provide for bigger penalties for misconduct in the fuel sector to help consumers get a fair go at the petrol pump. The conflict overseas should never be an excuse to profit off Australians. We're putting petrol companies on notice and this Treasury laws amendment to double the penalties does literally that. It doubles the penalties for false or misleading conduct and cartel behaviour to a maximum of $100 million per offence across the economy. We'd already increased penalties to $50 million—that's five times higher than what they were when we came to government—and we've given the ACCC more tools, such as extending petrol price monitoring powers and the ability to issue on-the-spot fines. This is a really important step, and it comes on top of the other action we're taking to address fuel affordability and security. We're boosting the fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel, and that is already beginning. We're getting more fuels into the market by temporarily amending the fuel standards, and we're engaging international partners to strengthen the supply chains and fuel security. The work we've done with Singapore in the last couple of days is a very good example of that. That is one side of this legislation that is about making a practical difference. The second is around truckies. My electorate has truck drivers all over the place in every possible sector, and what we know is that they haven't had the tools to respond. Before the chamber is an amendment to the Fair Work Act to allow truckies and road transport businesses to make an emergency application for a contractual chain order to deal with the current spike in fuel prices. Instead of something that would normally take more than six months, we want this to be done fast. The minimum six months will no longer apply when there is an emergency declaration made, and this gives the minister the powers to do that. As the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations said, this is about us stepping up to help create fairness through the supply chain and manage the impacts of global fuel challenges and helping truckies and transport operators be protected from fuel price rises. This is a second really important piece of legislation being put to the parliament. We are asking those opposite to get on with it and allow this to go through the parliament in a very prompt way. It adds to multiple announcements we've made to support getting more diesel flowing. One of those that I want to focus on is the minor adjustment to diesel standards. This is going to support truckies in my community. The six-month adjustment lowers what's known as the flashpoint for diesel from 61.5 degrees Celsius to 60.5 degrees Celsius, and what it means is that we can increase the diesel supply options from refiners and from international sources. It's about having more flexibility, and that's exactly what's needed here—flexibility by a government that's saying, 'What are the things we can quickly put in place to support our industries adapt and be flexible to the conditions they're facing?' I commend the bill. 12:14 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler Right now, the cost of diesel in my regional Queensland electorate of Hinkler is sitting at a high of $3.15 per litre. Unleaded is upwards of $2.50 a litre. Those opposite keep telling Australians that we are in a good position to deal with this crisis. Tell that to Brian from Bundaberg, who called my office this morning. He's wondering how he will afford to visit his grandchildren in Brisbane during the upcoming Easter holidays. Tell the farmers and producers of Hinkler that we are in a good position. They are already changing the way they do business. They're busily reconsidering who they can viably supply and how they can do it. What about the truckies taking our produce to market from Hinkler and delivering essential supplies to our region? What about the tour boat operators taking visitors to the southern Great Barrier Reef, with fuel costs now skyrocketing by upwards of $2,000 every day? What about the Hervey Bay retirees who are changing their driving behaviour, too afraid to leave their homes because they simply can't afford it? Australia is facing a genuine national emergency and fuel crisis, and this is being felt everywhere, especially in regional Australia. Prices are visibly hitting households in real time. Working from home is not an option for so many in the regions. So what about the bills before us here today, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026? Yes, the coalition is backing the doubling of penalties for the ACCC. This is tangible. Increasing the maximum penalty for anticompetitive behaviour and ensuring the price of misconduct is high enough to deter unfair activity is good. We must ensure consumers retain a robust level of protection. Yes, we support tougher penalties for those doing wrong, but the commission must also prosecute. We won't cop fuel gouging, but let's not forget to give confidence to the independent fuel retailers, who don't know where their next order is coming from or when. Doubling penalties won't help supply. This government needs to do more. It needs to do better. How about acting for regional Australia too? Don't put the blame on Australians. Speaking of confidence, it's worth pointing out that consumer confidence has now fallen to its lowest since records began, stretching back over 50 years to 1972. It is even below the COVID-19 pandemic low of 2020. As for the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, we on this side of the House are weighing up what that means. It was brought in here at 9.15 this morning, and I'm sure those on the other side are also still reading their talking points as they're speaking in here. It'd be nice and, more importantly, appropriate to have the opportunity to properly understand it and scrutinise it, but right now all we are seeing is a game of politics. Regional Australians don't have the luxury of jumping on a bus or working from home. Fuel is how we get to work, how we get our kids to school, and how our businesses and our farms keep running. When the pumps are empty, our communities grind to a halt. The parliament should be focused on getting fuel flowing and prices under control now. Be wary of bills that are this rushed. Should we be talking about fuel excise? Can we reduce the excise? The government should be looking at every option to take pressure off, including temporary and targeted relief, because so much damage has already been done. 12:18 Ms RYAN 249224 Lalor I rise today to support both pieces of legislation before us in this cognated debate. For those at home, particularly for the people I represent in Melbourne's west, it's worth making a few comments so as to understand why it is that we're talking about two pieces of legislation this morning. It's because those opposite came in this morning to demand a debate on one piece of legislation, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026, and, in the process, said that they would support any legislation that was going to assist Australians in the situation we find ourselves as a result of the war in the Middle East. Of course, there's another piece of legislation before us, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, that we've therefore called on this morning for debate so that we can get both of these pieces of legislation passed through the parliament as quickly as possible to support Australians. I want to start with that second piece of legislation, which is about supporting truckies across Australia, something that's close to my heart as someone who had truck drivers in the family and something that's really close to my electorate's heart as it has many transport workers and many who work in transport and logistics. Every conversation we have here in this place about that system, whether it be for truck drivers or for those doing the loading and unloading, means hundreds of individuals in my community who work in this space. In fact, I was having a conversation about it with a next-door neighbour as late as Friday evening. The Albanese government is helping Australia's trucking industry manage the impacts of the war in the Middle East by ensuring that truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises. This is incredibly important, and this legislation goes to the heart of that. It sees the government again stepping up to help create fairness through the supply chain and manage the impacts of the global fuel challenges. In short, it means that, rather than wait six months to be allowed to respond to things, the minister will be able to give people permission to do that quickly and easily and be more responsive. So it's a very important piece of legislation, and I'm pleased that we're bringing it in today for discussion and to pass. The other piece, of course, is the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. This allows penalties of up to $100 million for those who are found to be in breach of the Treasury Laws Amendment Act by the ACCC. It works quite simply as a deterrent to stop businesses from price-gouging Australian citizens. Obviously, everyone in this chamber supports the ACCC in pursuing anyone found to be doing these things. In response to the fuel price increases, we have raised this to $50 million and now again here to $100 million to ensure that we've got legislation and that the CQC is empowered to support Australians and prevent them being taken advantage of by companies who want to do these things. I want to go to a couple of points here. The first is those opposite claiming that the government is acting too slowly and in the next breath that the government is acting too quickly—a theme we have seen since January, I must say. As someone who was here and who remembers very clearly news of the pandemic breaking in this parliament as I sat on the opposite side, I can attest that the Labor Party in opposition was supportive of government because Australians needed us to be supportive of government. I ask those opposite to put down their weapons and be supportive of Australians in this instance. I note some jocularity coming from the other side. You don't get to call something a crisis and then play politics with it. You can't do both things and be perceived to be reasonable. The government has already introduced new laws to double penalties for petrol companies for price gouging. We've convened National Cabinet, we've appointed a national fuel supply task force coordinator, we've begun the release of 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves, we've changed petrol standards to get more fuel flowing and we've changed diesel standards so Australia's refineries can supply more diesel. The list of the actions that this government has taken goes on and on. I call on those opposite to support both of these bills, support the government and support Australians. 12:24 Ms WATSON-BROWN 300127 Ryan I move: That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: "whilst not declining to give the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 a second reading, the House: (1) notes that: (a) price gouging is not banned under Australian law except in relation to supermarkets; (b) this Bill will do nothing to stop fuel corporations from price gouging because it only increases penalties on existing offences; and (c) claims that this Bill will stop fuel corporations price gouging are misleading the Australian public; and (2) calls on the government to: (a) stop backing President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu's illegal war on Iran, which is a key driver of skyrocketing fuel prices; and (b) extend the supermarket price gouging ban across the whole economy including fuel corporations". The Greens will be supporting the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 in the House and reserving our position in the Senate. We also intend to support the passage of the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 in the House and reserve our position in the Senate. Labor's actually lying to you that they're tackling price gouging. All this ACCC bill does is increase penalties on existing offences—offences which have never in their history been used to crack down on fuel. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 230531 The minister is seeking the call. Mr Giles 243609 I think there was some unparliamentary language just used. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 230531 To assist the House, I ask the member for Ryan to withdraw. Ms WATSON-BROWN 300127 I withdraw. All this ACCC bill does is increase penalties on existing offences—offences which have never in their history been used to crack down on fuel price gouging. They can still put up prices as much as they want; they just can't lie about it—so they just won't say anything at all. Under pressure from the Greens, Labor has finally done something about price gouging in supermarkets—so why not across the whole economy? Is that because Coles and Woollies happen to be catching a bit of flak recently? There's no reason not to do the same across the whole economy. Maybe they're not doing it because they know it's corporate profiteering, not everyday people, that is causing inflation. They want you to pay for the crisis. The prices of everything go up, then interest rates go up and you're then paying more for your mortgage and more on your rent. Politicians, the media and the billionaires want to make you think that this is inevitable—but it's not. Inflation is not caused by everyday people spending what they need to get by. You can't decide to opt out of putting a roof over your head or buying food for your family. Wages have hardly moved. When you pay more, someone else gets more money; it's pretty simple. The money has to go somewhere and it's going to the top. When Russia invaded Ukraine, it caused an enormous transfer of wealth from regular people to the top one per cent. Publicly listed oil and gas companies worldwide tripled their income from previous years to $916 billion in 2022, enriching their wealthy owners—and this includes Santos. Santos tripled its net income from 2021 to 2022. Santos has never paid corporate tax in Australia since the ATO started reporting it. It's inflation for you, and profits for the one per cent. Billionaires worldwide have increased their total wealth by 81 per cent since the pandemic, according to Oxfam, to $18.3 trillion. It's not like the weather; it's not inevitable. Your living standards have gone down while the superyacht business for the ultra-wealthy booms, and this latest oil crisis, which will increase the cost of food, diesel, fertiliser and everything downstream from those goods, will only accelerate that trickle-up to the price gouging corporations and their billionaire owners. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 230531 Is the amendment seconded? Ms Boele 26417 I second the amendment and reserve my right to speak. 12:28 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence This matter goes to the very heart of fairness—fairness for everyday Australians, fairness for families doing their best and fairness for the workers who quite literally keep this country moving. The Albanese government has been clear from day one. Our focus is simple—to build an economy that works for people, not the other way around. That means standing up when markets fail, stepping in when big corporations overreach and making sure Australians are never taken for granted. Across this country, from our major ports to the smallest rural towns, there is a workforce that never stops: transport workers, truckies, logistics operators—the people behind the wheel at all hours of the day and night, connecting communities, delivering goods and keeping shelves stocked. These workers are not just part of the economy; they are the backbone of it, and they deserve our protection. They deserve fairness in pricing, fairness in conditions and a system that does not allow them to be squeezed while others profit. When price gouging occurs in fuel markets, it does not just hurt motorists in the suburbs; it flows through the entire supply chain. That is why legislation like this, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, is important. Supply chains are the lifeblood of the nation, and when they come under pressure like this because of global uncertainty they need good government to step up. They ensure food reaches our tables, medicine reaches our hospitals and goods reach every corner of this country. When those chains are strained and when transport is not supported, everything slows, everything costs more and everything becomes harder. Let us be clear. If truckies cannot afford to keep moving, food does not get delivered. If fuel prices are manipulated, regional communities feel it first and worst. If supply chains stall, the economy does not just stumble; it risks grinding to a halt. I'm sure no-one in this House and no Australian out there wants to see that happen. I've seen the impact on the transport workforce firsthand through my time working alongside the Transport Workers' Union of Australia and, more broadly, over more than 22 years in the transport industry. When you support truck drivers, warehouse workers and those on the frontline of our supply chains, you understand just how quickly things like unfair fuel prices and unfair market behaviour hit their livelihoods. These are workers already operating long hours, on tight margins and with immense responsibility. So legislation like this is practical protection, ensuring that people who keep Australia moving are not the ones paying the price for corporate misconduct, which should never be tolerated by any government that claims to stand for fairness. That is why we are putting petrol companies on notice. We will not cop big corporates treating Australian consumers like mugs. We will not accept behaviour that undermines trust, distorts markets and drives up the cost of living. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 is a clear statement of intent. It doubles penalties for false or misleading conduct and for cartel behaviour to a maximum of $100 million per offence. Our job is to act in the best interests of Australians, and that is what we are doing here today. We know people are doing it tough. We know it's a hard slog. These bills are our work to improve the lives of everyone in this country. I want to say to those opposite: when times are tough, when crises are on our shores, there is a time for real leadership in this place. That's why we've been elected. We need to stand up as one collective force in this place at this time for our country and ensure that our truckies are treated with respect and dignity and that our system is not taken advantage of. It is reprehensible that those opposite continue to politicise this crisis. It is time for the Leader of the Opposition to stand up and show some leadership on this very issue and stop politicising it. We need to act as one. We need to act in the best interests of every single Australian. It is time to support these bills. 12:32 Mr REBELLO 316547 McPherson I rise to speak today for many people across my electorate who are struggling with fuel supply. Let me be clear, though, about what is happening here. The coalition recognised the urgency of the first of these bills, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. We recognise the urgency of it. But what's also happening is that, in the purest form of arrogance that has long characterised them, the Albanese Labor government have bundled it up with another piece of legislation, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, which we only received earlier today. Petrol and diesel prices are rising across the country. I spoke recently to Jon and Sharon, who own a family crane company in my electorate, and they have seen a considerable rise in the cost of fuel. Theirs is a company that purchases between 7,000 litres and 10,000 litres at a time. Between just the 28 February and 18 March, they've seen an increase in their costs from $1.63 a litre to $2.73 per litre. This cost is being passed on, as you'd expect, to their clients, and it is, in turn, being passed on to builders and to the cost of construction. Many of the people and the companies who use these cranes engage in the construction of both commercial and residential housing as well. The impact we're seeing on families from rising fuel costs is multifaceted, and it's compounding, because we're already seeing a government that has presided over an incredible cost-of-living crisis. We're seeing inflation that is out of control, and we are now seeing families having to add, to their already growing burden, the increased cost of fuel. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my colleague the federal member for Wright, someone who is very familiar with the transport industry. He has worked as a transport operator, and he spoke very passionately about this topic earlier in this debate. The country is at breaking point. We are not seeing any sort of meaningful action here. There's no talk about solutions, no talk about, for example, adjustments to the fuel excise. There's no talk about what the government is actually doing. Instead, the talk we have heard has been confusing and conflated, especially when it comes to the presentations by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy during question time over the last couple of days. We've seen the government contradicting itself. We've gone from there being no fuel problem to a national crisis being declared. We've seen multiple national cabinet meetings. We've seen a government that has ultimately been caught flat-footed and asleep at the wheel. And it's not only individuals who are hurting; it's small businesses. Many of us on this side of the House have been involved in and run small businesses. It's those people who are really struggling at the moment. These are the ones who are wanting to make sure they have a future for their business, for the people they employ, and no guarantee is being given by this government. As the coalition, we will definitely scrutinise this legislation, especially in the Senate. But the way it has been put through today is characteristic of this government. We're approaching Easter, a time that is very special to Australians. But what are we going to actually see? We're going to see an increase in holiday cancellations. We're seeing families who have probably been looking forward to travel after working very hard but being unable to travel and take time with their families. We need a government who is not only prepared to act but prepared to act in a way such that we can work with them. We've been very constructive in the sense that we've said, in relation to the first part of this legislation, that we're happy to provide some support. But the way it's been rushed is, again, characteristic of a government that is arrogant and out of touch. 12:37 Ms SWANSON 264170 Paterson I want to counter the assertion that the government has been found flat-footed on the issue of fuel security. You can't suggest that we're flat-footed and then say we're not acting expeditiously enough. Those opposite need to make up their mind about that. It's completely inaccurate and, quite honestly, unfair. I know, having come into this place almost 10 years ago, that we have better fuel reserves now than we had then, under the former government, which saw the closure of refineries and certainly wasn't acting to secure fuel certainty, as this government has done—off the back of what I might say have been extraordinary circumstances the world over. Crude oil has doubled in price in the last month alone, and we've seen an extraordinarily geographically difficult conflict in a strait of water that has been taken prisoner by Iran. So to suggest that we have been flat-footed and had no action is a complete misrepresentation of the action this government has taken. I rise today in strong support of the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, which will again be a piece of legislation that we have worked quickly and adroitly to get through this place to help with the circumstances and a world in flux as we see it at the moment. This is a practical, targeted and time-sensitive reform designed to respond to extraordinary global circumstances that are placing significant pressure on Australia's road transport industry. And I want to give shout-out to the truckies of Australia today. You are turning up, delivering and doing your darndest for our nation, and we thank you for it. As we know, the conflict in the Middle East has emerged rapidly and, with it, sharp volatility in global fuel markets. The flow-on effects have been immediate and profound. Fuel prices are surging. Supply chains are under strain. Across Australia, road transport businesses, many of them small and family run, are facing mounting financial pressure, with very little time to respond. Our government sees you, we hear you and we are working with you. The duration and full scale of these impacts remain uncertain. What I mean by that is that we don't know when this war is going to end. But we are working to mitigate the circumstances of it every minute of every day. What is clear is that the consequences are being felt now. This bill amends the Fair Work Act 2009 to ensure that our industrial relations framework is capable of responding quickly and effectively in times of national economic stress. It enables Minister Rishworth, who has worked day and night on this in recent days, to recognise when extraordinary circumstances are having a significant national impact and to trigger an expedited process so that the Fair Work Commission can act more quickly. That means faster decisions on contract chain orders, ensuring that rising fuel costs can be dealt with fairly across supply chains rather than being borne disproportionately by drivers and small operators. It's an important safeguard, and it's a necessary one in times like this. In circumstances like this, delays have real consequences. Importantly, this bill does not alter the independent role of the Fair Work Commission. It respects that role. The commission will continue to assess applications and make decisions independently, but this bill will ensure that in times of crisis it can act with urgency. This legislation builds on the significant steps the government has already taken to respond to this fuel crisis. We've acted quickly to protect Australians, doubling penalties for petrol price gouging and really teething up the ACCC to increase monitoring, enforcement and crackdown. We've acted to stabilise supply, releasing a portion of Australia's fuel reserves. We've adjusted the fuel standards to increase availability. And we've been working with our international partners to ensure that those ships keep coming. We're a reliable partner with LNG and coal, and they know they need to reciprocate those deals—and they are—but we're working constructively with them. We've coordinated nationally, convening National Cabinet, working with states and territories, and activating key emergency coordination mechanisms to ensure that fuel continues to flow where it's needed. And we've been engaging directly with industry every step of the way. This bill is another step in this response, because, when supply and price oversight are critical, we must also ensure fairness within the supply chain itself. If this bill isn't passed in this autumn sitting, the consequences are clear: road transport contractors may be forced to absorb rising fuel costs for an indeterminate period. I thank the House. 12:42 Mr JOYCE e5d New England We're hearing the word now, aren't we? We're hearing the word 'crisis'. It took a little while before they started saying 'crisis', but by gosh we're hearing it a lot now. And we're hearing the word 'urgency'. It took a little bit of time before they started saying the word 'urgency', but we're hearing the word a lot now. And of course what we're seeing is that they're rushing forward a bill. Do you know why they rush bills forward? It's because they're panicking, because they're not across the situation. I'll show you how much they're not across the situation. When I first brought this up three weeks ago on Sunrise, they said, 'Don't worry, because we have electric trucks'—electric trucks, electric prime movers. I was gobsmacked. Then I asked the minister, 'How many days supply of diesel do we have?' And he was almost incredulous: 'Nothing to worry about here!' Within a week: big problems. Right now, this is how bad it's got. I have funeral directors contacting me. They don't have the fuel to pick up family members who have died and cart them back so they can, in a dignified way, be kept in a condition that's appropriate before they're buried. And the government says this is not a crisis. I'll tell you where we're going to have a big crisis. We now have tractors that are unable to produce the food you need. They are basically sitting in a paddock because we can't get the supply of diesel. At the start, it was just like the fuel crisis: 'It won't matter, because there's stuff in storage.' But, as it starts to filter through and we can't get it to the marketplace—like we can't load cattle—you're going to start running out of food. We have got to have a plan. That's why I say that we must start rationing now. People aren't going to like it. People are going to be very upset by it. But it's better to show the people that you've got a plan, that you've worked out how much diesel is required and how much fuel is required, and that you'll work your way down through the most essential parts of your economy so they get the product first. If things sort themselves out in the Middle East, we can just wait until the fuel's running again and we can just go back to the way we were. We've been fascinated—well, I haven't. But this place has been fascinated by such rubbish as green hydrogen, solar panels, wind towers and climate change. This issue should have been seen. I tell you why. It's because one of the issues that we should be planning for, unfortunately—President Xi says he's going to take Taiwan by 2027. It's 2026. That will also shut down all your supply lines. They'll all get shut down. We should have had that plan. We should have had that worked out because the situation in a smaller form is what's happening now. If we had that worked out, we'd be able to better handle this one. Even now, there is no sense of really grasping this situation for exactly what it is before it's in its more, to be quite frank, worrying form: it doesn't start arriving at the supermarkets. If it's arriving with funeral directors, if funeral directors in country areas are contacting me because they can't get access to fuel, I think that should ring a bell about how trucks are going to go in carting product around. I can assure you that, every time they say there's more fuel, my phone rings hot. They say that there's more fuel in Australia. Well, why haven't we got it? Why isn't it in regional areas? What have you done wrong? Have you got it hidden? Who has got this fuel? The mythical fuel company? It's just there. It's out in the ether. We just can't get it to the stores. We can't get it to the fuel stations. If you have bulk uses of fuel like trucks do, 1,800 litres in a B-double—if they don't get it delivered to them in bulk so they can use it at their depot, they go to the fuel stations. When they go to the fuel stations, the towns run out of fuel. This has not been managed. This has been a fiasco, and I might say that it was first brought to the attention of this chamber by One Nation without a shadow of a doubt. We were talking about ISIS brides, we were talking about fuel, and now everybody's playing catch-up. You better start coming up with rationing. You better start coming up with alternative paths for fuel to come in here, because, if you can't work that out, we're going to have problems getting food to supermarkets. 12:48 Ms JORDAN-BAIRD 316021 Gorton Our road transport industry is vital to keeping Australia's economy moving. You see it in action in my community on our roads in the western suburbs of Melbourne. The Western Freeway stretches over 250 kilometres, linking western Victoria to the rest of Melbourne. It's a major freight route, and it's why we're upgrading the Western Freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs. Our truckies keep our economy moving. They spend their days on the road, delivering the goods that our Aussie households and businesses rely on, and they are amongst those who are feeling the issues with fuel prices the most. It's why the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 is amending the Fair Work Act to enable the commission to respond more quickly to contractual chain order applications in time-sensitive circumstances. We need to make sure hard-working truckies and smaller road transport businesses are not pushed to the brink by these severe costs. I'm a proud member of the Transport Workers' Union, a union that represents over 20,000 members in Victoria and Tasmania, many of whom are truck drivers. These are mums and dads with families living in my electorate, and these truck drivers are the backbone of our economy. After anticipating feedback from organisations like the TWU, the Australian Trucking Association, the National Road Freighters Association and the Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation, we're amending the Fair Work Act to allow emergency powers to deal with surging fuel prices causing imminent risk to transport businesses and our national supply chains. I'd like to thank these organisations for their support and advocacy—in particular, the TWU. As the Albanese Labor government, we have consistently taken a stand to give transport workers a fair go, delivering landmark workplace relations reforms with the clear goal of fair minimum standards for employee-like workers and the road transport industry. These changes responded to practices in the road transport industry that weren't sustainable, putting businesses, workers and their families under immense financial pressure. Our employee choice pathway has seen casual employees transition into permanent employment, and our closing loopholes legislation removed the loopholes that undermined a level playing field for employees as well as pay and job security and safety for workers. We're also looking after our truckies by cracking down on sham contracting, with stronger protections against sham contracting and compliance reform from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office and stronger penalties for employers who dodge their obligations to their employees. We are a party that fights for workers, and we fight for transport workers. When it comes to fuel price hikes, we will not back down. These surging costs are felt right across the community, including by everyday Aussies in my community, who are feeling the surge in petrol prices. That's why we're also introducing new legislation to double penalties for petrol companies that are price gouging. What petrol companies are doing to inflate prices at servos in my community, across our cities and, in particular, in regional Australia must stop. We won't cop corporations taking advantage of Aussie consumers, and conflict overseas is no excuse. My message to my community in Melbourne's western suburbs is: when you go to the servo you deserve a fair go at the petrol pump, and any corporations that engage in misconduct, ripping you off, should face bigger penalties. We've already increased penalties up to $50 million—five times higher than they were before—and we've given the ACCC more tools, like extending petrol price monitoring powers and the ability to issue on-the-spot fines. How have the opposition responded to the real concerns of Aussies about the price of petrol? They've responded with politics, with rhetoric and with bad-faith attempts to manufacture fear and outrage. Instead of doing their job, they've rushed this bill in today in a blatant political stunt. This is not a genuine attempt to help Australians. It's just more evidence that those opposite are not focused on the real needs of everyday Aussies. They vote against every single cost-of-living measure that this government introduces. They do nothing but play politics in their own party room, and now they're playing politics on the floor of this chamber. Our government is delivering for Australians. We have Australians' backs during times of crises, and we have the backs of truckies and all Australians at the bowser. On that note, I commend this bill to the House. 12:52 Mr SMALL 291406 Forrest I move an amendment to the amendment moved by Ms Watson-Brown, as circulated in my name: That all words after "whilst" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: "not declining to give the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 a second reading, the House: (1) notes the Leader of the House has previously stated that the reason Governments rush legislation is because 'they don't want there to be a debate in the people's house about the impact of this legislation'; (2) notes the Government's shameful opportunism in preventing the House's consideration of the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, or the impact of the legislation; and (3) calls on the Government to explain why these provisions for a temporary crisis are permanent". The DEPUTY SPEAKER 295588 Is the amendment seconded? Mr Chaffey 316312 I second the amendment and reserve my right to speak. 12:54 Mr VENNING 315434 Grey Australia is facing a genuine national energy and fuel crisis that is devastating our nation. Across the country, particularly in our vital regional communities, everyday citizens are quite literally running on empty. Hardworking people are looking to the Labor government for leadership, urgency and decisive action. Instead, we are—and I am—very disappointed. Unfortunately, this is a government that has completely run out of gas when it comes to this issue. The reality is stark: petrol is soaring to nearly $2.50 a litre while diesel hits $3.20 in many of the towns in regional South Australia. These prices are hitting households, and hitting fishers, farmers and tradies. Regional Australians rely on diesel vehicles for basic survival, yet they are currently being bled dry by Labor's errors around fuel management and ignoring blatant price-gouging market tactics. Families are carpooling just to save money and, with Easter approaching, cancelling planned holidays and visits to see other family members because travel is just too damn expensive. In my electorate, hardworking tourist operators in Wallaroo, Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay and the bottom end of Yorke Peninsula, who rely on critical seasonal revenue, are watching bookings disappear. This is on top of the harmful algal bloom. Australians expect real leadership. Instead, they receive silence, confusion and mixed messaging. The government's contradictions on this issue are breathtaking. Within days, we watched the flip-flop from saying there was no fuel problem to suddenly declaring a national crisis. We have seen multiple hastily convened National Cabinet meetings achieve absolutely nothing. This government was caught completely flat footed, totally asleep at the wheel and in absolute denial about the scale of this issue. The economy-wide impact is severe. Fuel costs are hitting farmers and fishers hard. Dedicated manufacturers are being squeezed, and the vital freight and logistics sector is being crushed. Predictably, these surging costs are going to be passed directly onto everyday customers at the local supermarket checkout. Meanwhile, small businesses—who are already facing industrial relations pressure, crippling inflation, rising taxes and heavy compliance costs—now have to take this brutal blow. The coalition today offers a broader warning. There is a genuine risk for an absolute economic earthquake if this is not addressed urgently, yet we see a complete failure to act. This government has introduced legislation but has not progressed it. They have failed entirely to act on essential price-gouging protections. This crisis is now visible in both our regional and urban areas. The core message from the coalition today is simple: this emergency is undeniably urgent and it is incredibly real. It is hitting vulnerable Australians exceptionally hard and immediate action is needed. Labor must finally prioritise our struggling families and our hardworking farmers. Right now, everyday Australians are unfairly paying the ultimate price for constant government delay and stubborn denial. We cannot afford to waste any more time engaging in empty political spin while regional towns suffer through these wildly inflated prices. This parliament should be completely focused on getting fuel flowing and getting prices firmly under control right now. We need real solutions to ensure no community is left behind. Australia is a net energy exporter in the form of coal and gas. Why are we not working with our export partners to get agreements to ensure that the liquid fuels flow to this country? I'll end with this: Mary Morris, a farmer from Eudunda, said it best: 'Today I received a phone call to say I was reclassified as "critical" and I might get fuel on April Fool's Day, if it comes. This is an absolute disgrace.' April Fool's Day—what a sick joke. 12:59 Mr ROB MITCHELL M3E McEwen This whole debate has been an absolute joke. I think the member opposite summed it up when he said he didn't know what he was talking about. What we've got is a situation where we came to government and had a shortage of fuel stocks and supplies. We've addressed that. We've fixed that. Every day, we have worked forward to get things done, and that's why we're backing our truckies to keep going. But what we've got is the coalition over there of the National Party, the Liberal Party and one neuron all fighting against keeping truckies on our road, keeping prices down and keeping people working. The fact of the matter is that we have more supplies than we've ever had before. It's available; the distribution is the problem. They know it's the problem. It's because people are hoarding fuel, and more and more fuel needs to go out. That's where the blockage is. But what do they do? Rather than them stand up and do anything in any way, shape or form to support Australians, support workers and support the nation, they want to come in here and say, 'We need to do this desperately. It's so important,' and 'it's so important, we're going to block it. We want to put it to a Senate committee and lock it away for ages.' Never has hypocrisy been writ so large than what we see from those opposite— The SPEAKER 53517 In light of the resolution that was passed today, time has now expired. Dr Ryan 297660 Why do we have a speaking list if we don't adhere to it? The SPEAKER 53517 Order! I'm guided by the resolution that the House voted on earlier today, which stipulates that debate will cease and consideration will begin no later than 1 pm. In accordance with the resolution agreed earlier today, the time allotted for the debate has now expired. The original question was that the bills be now read a second time. To this, the honourable member for Ryan has moved as an amendment that all words after 'That' be omitted with a view to substituting other words. The honourable member for Forrest has moved as an amendment to that amendment that all words after 'whilst' be omitted with a view to substituting other words. So the immediate question before the House is that the amendment moved by the honourable member for Forrest be agreed to.  

The House divided. [13:05]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)

43 AYES Aldred, M. R. (Teller) Batt, D. J. Bell, A. M. Birrell, S. J. Boele, N. Boyce, C. E. Buchholz, S. Caldwell, C. M. Chaffey, J. L. Chaney, K. E. Chester, D. J. Conaghan, P. J. Gee, A. R. Hastie, A. W. Hawke, A. G. Hogan, K. J. Joyce, B. T. G. Kennedy, S. P. Landry, M. L. (Teller) Littleproud, D. McCormack, M. F. McIntosh, M. I. McKenzie, Z. A. O'Brien, E. L. O'Brien, L. S. Pasin, A. Penfold, A. L. Pike, H. J. Rebello, L. S. Scamps, S. A. Small, B. J. Spender, A. M. Steggall, Z. Taylor, A. J. Tehan, D. T. Thompson, P. Venning, T. H. Violi, A. A. Wallace, A. B. Webster, A. E. Willcox, A. J. Wilson, R. J. Wilson, T. R. 93 NOES Abdo, B. J. Albanese, A. N. Aly, A. Ambihaipahar, A. Belyea, J. A. Berry, C. G. Bowen, C. E. Briskey, J. L. Burke, A. S. Burnell, M. P. Butler, M. C. Byrnes, A. J. Campbell, J. P. Chalmers, J. E. Charlton, A. H. G. Chesters, L. M. Clare, J. D. Claydon, S. C. Clutterham, C. L. Coffey, R. K. Coker, E. A. Collins, J. M. Comer, E. L. Conroy, P. M. Cook, K. M. G. Cook, P. A. Doyle, M. J. J. Dreyfus, M. A. Elliot, M. J. Fernando, C. J. France, A. A. Freelander, M. R. French, T. A. Garland, C. M. L. Georganas, S. Giles, A. J. Gorman, P. P. Gosling, L. J. Gregg, M. J. Hill, J. C. Holzberger, R. A. V. Husic, E. N. Jarrett, M. L. Jordan-Baird, M. A. M. Kearney, G. M. Keogh, M. J. Khalil, P. King, C. F. King, M. M. H. Lawrence, T. N. Laxale, J. A. A. Leigh, A. K. Lim, S. B. C. Marles, R. D. Mascarenhas, Z. F. A. McBain, K. L. McBride, E. M. Miller-Frost, L. J. Mitchell, R. G. Moncrieff, D. S. Mulino, D. Neumann, S. K. Ng, G. J. O'Neil, C. E. Payne, A. E. Plibersek, T. J. Rae, S. T. Reid, G. J. Repacholi, D. P. Rishworth, A. L. Roberts, T. G. Rowland, M. A. Ryan, J. C. Ryan, M. M. Scrymgour, M. R. Sitou, S. Smith, D. P. B. (Teller) Smith, M. J. H. Soon, X. Stanley, A. M. (Teller) Swanson, M. J. Teesdale, J. A. Templeman, S. R. Thwaites, K. L. Urquhart, A. E. Watson-Brown, E. Watts, T. G. Wells, A. S. White, R. P. Wilkie, A. D. Wilson, J. H. Witty, S. J. Zappia, A. 0 PAIRS

Question negatived.

13:10 The SPEAKER 53517 The question before the House now is that the amendment moved by the member for Ryan be agreed to. A division having been called and the bells having been rung— The SPEAKER 53517 As there are fewer than seven members on the side for the ayes in this division, I declare the question negatived in accordance with standing order 127. The names of those members who were in the minority will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. Question negatived. Mr Burke DYW I'm just conscious, given the urgency, we were told, of dealing with this, that we've got no Liberal members of the frontbench in the chamber at all. Should we wait any longer before we put the questions? The SPEAKER 53517 I just wanted to give everyone the opportunity to have their say, but I don't want to detain the House any longer. There will be one vote before the House on the two bills. I want to make sure it's clear so that everyone follows the process. So the question is that the bills be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bills read a second time. Third Reading 39 13:16 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time. COMMITTEES 39 COMMITTEES Law Enforcement Joint Committee 39 Report 39 13:17 Mr BATT 315478 Hinkler On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, I present the following reports: Examination of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission annual report 2024-25 and Examination of the Australian Federal Police annual report 2024-25. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Mr BATT 315478 by leave—I rise as Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement to present the committee's report examining the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, ACIC, annual report for 2024-25. This committee has a statutory duty to examine each annual report of the ACIC, review the performance by the ACIC of its functions, monitor crime trends which may indicate that changes to the ACIC are required and report back to parliament. The ACIC has been undergoing a period of change. It welcomed a new CEO, Ms Heather Cook, in January 2024 and has been refining its purpose and performance criteria to align with recommendations from the ACIC review. Regarding the ACIC's annual report for 2024-25, the committee found the agency's performance and reporting to be highly satisfactory. The ACIC consistently performs to a high standard. It fully met nine of its 11 performance criteria. For the two targets it substantially met in the period, the agency provided a satisfactory explanation for this in the report. The ACIC's key achievements in 2024-25 included the development of a national firearms register, the processing of over 7.26 million police checks, the expansion of the National Criminal Intelligence System and the dissemination of intelligence products 12,500 times to 291 agencies. The ACIC is continuing to upgrade its information systems that are vital for law enforcement work, including the National Firearms Register. This will bring information from multiple jurisdictions together into a central hub, which should be ready for integration by the end of 2026. The ACIC is continuing to develop the National Criminal Intelligence System. The committee is pleased to report that all jurisdictions are now able to access this system, and almost all have been feeding data into the system. The ACIC is also working to introduce a National Continuous Checking Capability for working-with-children and police checks. This will introduce a real-time checking capability as opposed to point-in-time checks. The committee looks forward to seeing this capability rolled out across the country. The committee acknowledges the ACIC's continued focus on staff wellbeing. The agency saw a significant improvement in its attrition rate from December 2024 to December 2025, and the committee is pleased to report that the ACIC is attracting high volumes of quality applicants to its recruitment processes. Overall, the committee is pleased with the performance of the ACIC. I note that, from 4 June 2026, the Parliamentary Joint Committee of Intelligence and Security will have oversight of the ACIC, and, while there will be a change in parliamentary oversight committees, it will still be appropriate for the ACIC to provide written submissions or appear before the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement at public hearings for inquiries relating to serious and organised crime. As such, the committee looks forward to continuing engagement with the ACIC. I thank the officers of the ACIC for their important work in reducing the harm to Australia from transnational, serious and organised crime. I commend the committee's report to the House. I also rise as Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement to present the committee's report examining the Australian Federal Police annual report for 2024-25. This committee has a statutory duty to examine each annual report of the AFP, review the performance by the AFP of its functions, monitor crime trends which may indicate that changes to the AFP are required and report back to parliament. I note the retirement of Mr Reece Kershaw APM as AFP Commissioner and the appointment of Miss Krissy Barrett APM to the role in October 2025. I wish to thank Mr Kershaw for his decades of service and for his engagement with the committee, and I welcome Commissioner Barrett to the role. I note her priorities for the AFP and look forward to engaging with her and her leadership team in this parliament. Regarding the AFP's annual report for 2024-25, the committee found the AFP's performance and reporting to be highly satisfactory. The AFP met all but one of its performance targets during the year, and, for the target that was not met, the AFP provided a satisfactory explanation in its report. I know key achievements for the AFP during the period included charging 96 people as a result of child-exploitation investigations, restraining over $143.6 million in criminal assets, responding to 22,706 incidents at airports and maintaining a presence across 34 countries. The AFP saw significant results from its operations, including operations Firestorm, Kraken and Tyrrendor. These respectively focused on taking down major scam centres, dismantling an encrypted communication platform before being used by organised crime groups to facilitate crimes and a significant seizure of illicit drugs off the coast of Queensland. The committee commends the AFP for its results from these operations and for maintaining strong relationships with its international and domestic partners. The committee recently visited the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation to hear how the AFP works to protect children from exploitation. The committee recognises the results of the AFP in this difficult and important area of work. The committee also visited the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre to hear first hand how the AFP works to address cybercrime. The committee commends the achievements of the AFP in this cyber space as well. The committee acknowledges the AFP's continued focus on staff wellbeing. The AFP operates in a challenging environment that places significant demands on its staff. The AFP have introduced several initiatives to improve recruitment and wellbeing, and has already seen positive impacts from these initiatives. I commend the AFP for continuing to perform well in a complex operating environment. I thank all officers of the AFP for their vital work protecting the safety of Australians. I also wish to thank the senior AFP officers who gave evidence to the committee at its hearing in February for this year's annual report examination, and I commend the committee's report to the House. Human Rights Joint Committee 40 Report 40 13:24 Ms MASCARENHAS 298800 Swan On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the committee's report entitled Human rights scrutiny report: report 3 of 2026. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Ms MASCARENHAS 298800 by leave—In this report, the committee considered eight new bills and 195 new legislative instruments, and commented on one bill and six instruments. The committee has sought further information from the Attorney-General in relation to the human rights compatibility of the Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026, which finally passed both houses on 12 March 2026. This bill facilitates the provision of intelligence information to a royal commission in circumstances where disclosure of such information would have otherwise been prevented by Commonwealth secrecy provisions. A royal commission can communicate this information to other agencies in certain circumstances. Information given to a royal commission under these measures is not admissible as evidence against the person disclosing it in secrecy proceedings in court. These measures apply specifically to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion but could be expanded to other royal commissions in the future. Because intelligence information is highly likely to contain personal information, these measures engage and limit the right to privacy. These measures pursue the important objective of supporting a royal commission to receive information and documents that are relevant to its terms of reference. This is particularly important where a royal commission's terms of reference are aimed at investigating and preventing arbitrary loss of life, as is the case with the antisemitism royal commission. The committee is seeking further information as to whether the limitation on the right to privacy is proportionate, including the effectiveness of safeguards that regulate the sharing of intelligence information. The committee is also concerned that a derivative-use immunity has not been provided in relation to the disclosure of intelligence information, and is seeking further information in relation to this matter. I also note that this bill passed both houses within seven sitting days of introduction. This expedited process meant that the committee was unable to examine this bill prior to its passage. The committee considers that parliamentarians ought to have the benefit of this committee's human rights advice prior to passing legislation. This is important to ensure that the legislation we pass in this place is more robust and has greater insights from a human rights perspective. In this report, the committee also commended the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Regulations 2025. Among other things, the regulations restrict lawyers' access to security information for proceedings relating to a remedy for a compulsory questioning warrant. The committee considers that while this measure pursues the legitimate objective of national security, there is a risk that it may not be proportionate limitation on the right to a fair hearing and it may restrict a person's access to an effective remedy for violations of their rights resulting from compulsory questioning warrants. I encourage all members to consider the committee's report closely. These are important findings that we have provided, and we are ensuring that we are improving the scrutiny of legislation in this place. With these comments, I commend the committee's scrutiny report 3 of 2026 to the House. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 In accordance with standing order 43, it is now the time for members' statements. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 41 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Mackellar Electorate: Awards and Honours 41 13:30 Dr SCAMPS 299623 Mackellar Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Northern Beaches District awards presentation ceremony for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. It was an honour to be part of the celebrations to recognise the extraordinary dedication of the many RFS volunteers who give so much to keep our community safe. Congratulations goes to the 13 members who received a National Medal and clasp and the 23 members who were awarded a Long Service Medal and clasp. These awards are an incredible testament to the years and, in many cases, decades of commitment. These awards represent more than just time served. They reflect courage, sacrifice and an unwavering willingness to step forward in times of crisis. Across generations, local families continue a proud tradition of service, passing down not just skills but a deep sense of responsibility to their community. RFS volunteers Mick and Sharon Green embody this spirit. During the recent flooding event at Mackerel Beach, they spent hours helping residents only to lose their own home to a landslide that night. To Mick and Sharon, every volunteer recognised last week and to all those who serve, thank you for your generosity and commitment to keeping our community safe. Liberal Party of Australia 41 13:31 Mr NG 316052 Menzies Last week in Menzies, I was out doorknocking, and I spoke with a young family. Both parents were working, doing their best to stay ahead of rising costs, and they told me that every dollar they had would make a difference. That's why the Albanese Labor government's tax cuts matter—one this year and one next year. In Menzies, around 86,000 taxpayers will be receiving a tax cut, with an average benefit of $2,708 a year, or about $52 a week. That is money back in the pockets of locals to help with groceries, bills, school expenses, and yesterday marked one year since the now leader of the opposition said the coalition would oppose tax cuts for every taxpayer, just as they've opposed every cost-of-living measure we put in place to help hardworking Australians. The Liberal Party's election review, which was so atrocious they tried to hide it, found that the former member for Dickson was one of the least popular leaders ever. It's hard to imagine how they would do worse. Well, the Liberal Party decided to keep digging. The now leader of the opposition was the architect of their economic policies. As the shadow Treasurer, he went to the election promising higher taxes and bigger deficits. When it came to economic policy, the cupboard was bare. Their big idea was taxpayer funded long lunches for bosses. While those opposite oppose lower taxes and cost-of-living relief, we're going on with making sure Australians can earn more and keep more— (Time expired) Fuel Security 41 13:33 Mr SMALL 291406 Forrest There's no crisis, so the Minister for Energy and Resources told us. So why were fuel stations running out? Because you were panic buying, apparently! But still, he leant against the dispatch box here in parliament and said, 'There's no crisis.' Six ships were cancelled. It's the first time the energy minister has managed to stop the boats in Australian history. 'Hang on,' he says, 'there are more coming.' From where? The gulf of America. Is it any wonder that we're starting to see diesel prices exceeding $3 at the bowser. Now, he says it's a crisis, a national fuel crisis. So, does the PM take action? No, because the National Cabinet decided there's no crisis. Then there are 500 service stations around Australia running dry, and farmers in our country can't get their crops in, and, suddenly, it's a crisis again, so let's have a second National Cabinet. I'm reminded that, on 11 April 2022, someone said: I won't blame someone else, I'll accept responsibility. On 24 April 2022, they said: Australia needs a government that will accept responsibility and not seek to blame others … Who said that? That would be the Prime Minister of Australia. Labor hasn't been upfront with Australians. Fuel is not guaranteed in this country, Australians are hurting and it is clear that government has lost control and has no plan to get Australia back on track. Taxation 42 13:34 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt There is much that I love about this place—the chance to represent my community, to meet interesting people and to be part of a government that is delivering for working Australians. As much as I love this place, though, there are things I find pretty strange and sometimes downright confusing, such as when members on the opposite side of the House share stories of hardship from people in their electorates—stories of people telling members opposite that they are struggling to pay bills, struggling to make ends meet or struggling to fill a script. The reason I find this so perplexing is that members on the opposite side of the House voted against tax cuts for all 14 million Australian taxpayers—tax cuts which would help the very residents who are telling the members opposite that they are doing it tough. Do these residents know that the coalition went to the last federal election with a policy of higher taxes and bigger deficits, that they voted against Labor's measures to increase wages for low-income workers and that their voting track record illustrates a repeated pattern of voting against Australian workers earning more and keeping more of what they earn? On this side of the chamber, we listen to residents of our electorates who are doing it tough, but we don't just listen; we act, and we deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief for Australian families. Labor is the party of lower taxes, higher wages and bigger surpluses. Kooyong Electorate: Roads 42 13:36 Dr RYAN 297660 Kooyong The Earl Street-Willsmere Road roundabout in Kew is one of the most dangerous intersections in the electorate of Kooyong. For decades, local residents have raised strong concerns about the risks that this roundabout poses. Boroondara council's transport team found that, during peak hour, a car enters the roundabout every 2.6 seconds. With no safe pedestrian crossing and no signalisation, it is extremely difficult and unsafe for families with prams, kids walking to school, older residents, people with a disability, cyclists and commuters who are simply trying to move safely around their community. The Willsmere Road roundabout represents a fatality waiting to happen. The Boroondara council has developed a good plan to address the risks by signalising the intersection, and they have nominated the site for federal funding under the Black Spot Program. Repeatedly, both the Boroondara council and I have written in support of this plan to the Victorian and federal ministers responsible, asking for urgent action. All levels of government have to work together to ensure timely action and protect the safety of the people of Kew. It is time for action on the Willsmere Road roundabout. Taxation 42 13:37 Mr DAVID SMITH 276714 Bean Not only did yesterday mark my birthday and Greek Independence Day; it marked, more importantly, 12 months since the Albanese Labor government announced tax cuts for almost 14 million Australians. Today it's 12 months since the coalition voted against these tax cuts—a decision made by the now leader of the opposition as the then shadow treasurer. And tomorrow will be the anniversary of the Leader of the Opposition telling 14 million Australians that the coalition would increase their taxes if they voted for them. On this side of the chamber, the No.1 priority is helping Australians with the cost of living whilst building a better, stronger future. That's why we legislated tax cuts and why we've ensured there'll be tax cuts coming this financial year. That's why we've also cut student debt, cut the cost of PBS medicines, delivered the largest investment in bulk-billing in Medicare's history, cut 30 per cent off home batteries to lower power bills, supported apprentices with $10,000 bonuses and introduced paid prac for nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students. I've heard from people across my community that these policies are having a positive impact, as they should, because this is what governments are meant to do. This government is delivering, whilst the opposition is just divided. Fuel 42 13:38 Mr THOMPSON 281826 Herbert We are seeing Mad Max levels around the country right now. Farmers' fuel is being stolen; their fuel drums are being drilled and drained. And what is this Labor minister doing? Nothing! When Labor's Minister Chris Bowen was the immigration minister, he couldn't turn a boat back, but now, as the energy minister, he has somehow been able to turn back six ships full of fuel that Australians desperately need. It's quite remarkable. People can't afford to fuel up their cars to drive to school, to work or to sporting events, because of this Labor minister's inaction and the gaslighting from the Prime Minister. Parents are going to have tough conversations, coming up to Easter, about the travel that they can't afford to go on, about the extra Easter eggs that they won't be able to get at the supermarket because the trucks can't deliver them. The Easter bunny is going to have his work cut out for him because this government is not doing anything to lower the fuel prices. If you can't fill up your car, you can't go to the shop. If you can't fill up your car, you can't get the supplies that you need. Australians need a government that acts, explains and leads. Right now, all they're getting is deflection. This prime minister and this Labor energy minister should be marching in here—not worrying about what the opposition is doing—and explaining to the Australian people what they're going to do to fix this fuel crisis. Taxation 43 13:40 Ms STANLEY 265990 Werriwa The Albanese Labor government is committing to easing the cost-of-living pressures for all Australians. The government has demonstrated this in so many ways: in health, by increasing bulk-billing and reducing the cost of PBS medicines; in education, by free TAFE and cutting student debt; in energy, with bill relief; and, not in the least, tax cuts. On the latter, this government is returning more money to the pockets of taxpayers—not some but all 14 million. From aged-care workers to those in retail, from truck drivers to teachers, everyone benefits from Labor's tax cuts. Unbelievably, those opposite, in the lead-up to last year's election, opposed Labor's latest round of tax cuts, and the electorate judged them accordingly. The tax cuts beginning on 1 July are modest: up to $268 per year. But, of course, they will make a difference. When viewed cumulatively, as a package which began with the first round of tax cuts in 2024, they mean the average taxpayer is expected to be taking home around $43 more a week. Labor still believes you should keep more of what you earn, and the latest round of tax cuts proves this. Labor's tax cuts return bracket creep and increase financial rewards from work. This is great news, and it makes me very proud to be a member of this Albanese Labor government. Trade with the European Union 43 13:41 Mr VENNING 315434 Grey There is disappointment currently being felt by farmers across my electorate. The government has completely sold out Australian agriculture with an unfair free trade deal with the EU. Pushed through during a period of global crisis, this agreement is a missed opportunity. It falls drastically short of industry expectations. Make no mistake: what we have seen here cannot be characterised as a free trade agreement. It's far from free. It is a dog's breakfast. The EU continues to protect its own interests while Australia is left picking up the tab again. Consider the beef sector. This agreement grants just over 30,000 tonnes of access over the next decade, yet 50,000 tonnes was the absolute minimum to remain competitive. This government has lost control of the economy. It's like a runaway truck with no brakes—and, because that truck has no diesel, when it finally comes to a stop, they won't be able to start it up again. I just want to share some facts about energy density for our Greens and teal voters. Prime movers cannot run on batteries. Mining trucks cannot run on batteries. Tractors cannot run on batteries. Fishing boats cannot run on batteries. More than 50 per cent of energy consumed in this country is from liquid fuels. Get the diesel moving and get this economy moving. Cost of Living 43 13:43 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore In my electorate of Moore, families are feeling the pressure of the cost of living every single day, whether it's mortgages, groceries, energy bills or the cost of raising children. That is why the Albanese Labor government has acted. We have delivered cost-of-living tax cuts to 14 million Australians grounded in a simple principle: Australians should earn more and keep more of what they earn. We should also be clear about the alternative. Those opposite voted against tax cuts. They've also made it clear that, if elected, they would increase taxes for the same 14 million Australians. The contrast is stark. Our government is cutting taxes for working Australians this year and next. We are focused on easing the cost pressure now while building a stronger economy for the future. That approach extends beyond tax. We have reduced student debt to support young Australians entering the workforce. We have cut the cost of medicines through the PBS. We have delivered the largest investment in bulk-billing in Medicare's history. We are reducing energy bills with the support for home batteries, and we are backing skills, supporting apprentices with a $10,000 incentive and introducing paid placements for students in critical industries and professions. These are practical measures that make a difference in communities like Moore. While we are focused on delivering cost-of-living relief, those opposite remain focused on themselves. Fuel 44 13:44 Mr VIOLI 300147 Casey Last week I was at Fast Fuel in Mount Evelyn, talking to the owner about how he could not get diesel. At the exact same time, Minister Bowen was telling us that there was no issue here in Australia, that there was no crisis at all. When I left that meeting, a young mum stopped and asked me when fuel prices would go down. She'd put $30 in the tank and said it had to last her two weeks until her next pay. There were literally tears in her eyes. In question time today, we are going to hear the Treasurer talk about his plan to help. His plan to help is $5 a week that starts on 1 July this year. That's it. That is his only plan to help the Australian people, to help the people in Casey: $5 a week on 1 July, two and a half months away. This is a Treasurer who is big on spin. He will spin it all day today. He's got the backbench following the talking points today, talking about how they're doing something. Well, guess what, Treasurer: words and spin do not put food on the table for my community. It does not bring petrol prices down and it does not help anyone. This Treasurer has been in this building for over 20 years. He thinks that this spin that he throws actually makes a difference. Well, the Australian people have worked him out. They know he has no plan to support them. Cost of Living 44 13:46 Ms LAWRENCE 299150 Hasluck We want Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn. This is not a slogan; it is a statement of intent. It is an intent that drives the Albanese Labor government, holding its focus—where it needs to be—on the Australian people. Who could disagree with this intent? Those opposite. A year ago tomorrow, the coalition voted against tax cuts for Australian workers—a decision driven by the Leader of the Opposition, the then shadow Treasurer. Helping Australians with the cost of living is the Albanese Labor government's top priority. It is clearly not the coalition's priority. While the coalition committed themselves to increasing taxes, the Albanese Labor government cut the taxes of 14 million Australians—and we did not stop with tax cuts. We have cut student debt, benefiting 16,000 students in my electorate of Hasluck, and cut the cost of TAFE with fee-free courses. We have supported apprentices with $10,000 bonuses and introduced paid prac for nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students. We have cut the cost of PBS medicines. We have cut the cost of seeing a GP with the largest investment in bulk-billing, and we've opened Medicare urgent care clinics around the country and in Midland, Morley and Ellenbrook in Hasluck. We have cut the cost of home batteries by 30 per cent, lowering power bills. The intent of a government matters, and ours is simple: we want Australians to earn more and keep more— (Time expired) Fuel 44 13:47 Ms ALDRED 11788 Monash Right now in regional Australia, something is happening that should stop us in our tracks. Farmers—the people who feed this country—are being forced to guard their fuel like it's cash. Diesel is being siphoned from tanks, equipment is being drained overnight and, instead of sleeping, farmers are staying up, patrolling their own properties and trying to protect what little supply they have left. This is not normal, and it is not acceptable. When a farmer has to become a security guard just to keep their operation running, something has gone seriously wrong. It doesn't end at the farm gate: in Victoria, police are now increasing patrols across farming communities, tracking hotspots, monitoring rural roads and diverting already stretched resources to deal with fuel theft—this in a state that has become the crime capital of Australia. Victoria Police are already under-resourced, underpaid and overworked, dealing with rising youth crime, home invasions, domestic violence and mental health callouts. Now we are asking them to pick up the pieces of fuel supply failure as well. This is what happens when governments lose control of supply, cost pressures and law and order. Australians deserve better. Cost of Living 44 13:49 Ms URQUHART 231199 Braddon The Albanese Labor government is cutting taxes for 14 million Australians this year and next year. Our tax cuts are putting money back in the pockets of 47,000 taxpayers in Braddon, who, on average, are saving $2,200 annually. Yet the coalition voted against these tax cuts—a decision that was made by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the shadow Treasurer. The people of Braddon know that helping Australians with the cost of living is Labor's No. 1 priority. That's why we've cut student debt for nearly 8,000 people in Braddon. We've cut the cost of PBS medicines, delivering savings of almost $5.5 million so far in my electorate. We've opened two urgent care clinics and two Medicare mental health clinics, delivering free, walk-in, specialised health and mental health services to the people in Braddon without any cost to them. We've discounted home batteries by 30 per cent to lower power bills, with almost 400 batteries installed to date in Braddon, with a usable capacity of over 6,000 kilowatt hours. We've supported almost 1,000 enrolments in free TAFE courses that will deliver important skills and drive economic growth across Braddon and also right across Tasmania. We, on this side, are focused on delivering cost-of-living relief. The Liberals and the Nationals are focused on themselves, and those things haven't changed. Fuel 45 13:50 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee If gaslighting were an energy resource, this Albanese government could light up the nation, while it plunges into the abyss of their incompetence. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy are constantly telling Australians to stop panic-buying fuel. In other words, it's everyday Australians who are the problem. I have a report for the Prime Minister—that is not true. It is the incompetence of this government that is the problem. Today we have the government panic-legislating on the ACCC and trucking. I want to tell a story, very briefly, about citrus growers in my electorate who are, today, having to make the choice on whether to actually harvest their crop. They are deciding that they probably will not be. This is because they've already got messages from their agents at the markets that they will not be able to sell the fruit at the price that it costs farmers to get that fruit to market and then to the shops. The outcome here is not great for Australians. From paddock to plate—the Albanese government needs to learn what that is about. Cost of Living 45 13:52 Ms MILLER-FROST 296272 Boothby Today is an important anniversary. No, I'm not talking about the day that $100 notes were introduced to Australia for the first time, 52 years ago, or about the day, 20 years ago, when Australia took home more medals than any other nation from the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. No, this is a day that will live on in infamy. This is the day, one year ago, when the opposition opposed Labor's tax cuts and cost-of-living relief for millions of Australians. It is the day on which the opposition looked squarely in the eye of every struggling family in Australia and promised to pull the rug out from underneath them. A year on, they continue to squabble amongst themselves and indulge in stunt politics. Today's debacle, where they called on the government to rush through legislation to increase ACCC penalties for price gouging, then voted against it, makes the point. Meanwhile, the Albanese government has delivered. We've increased bulk-billing, rolled out urgent care clinics, made medicines cheaper, cut student debt and introduced prac payments, rolled out 600,000 fee-free TAFE places and a $10,000 apprenticeship bonus, and helped first home buyers with a five per cent deposit scheme. Now we're backing a pay rise for millions of workers. May 26 March be forever remembered as the day on which the opposition showed their true colours and sided against struggling Australian families. Fuel 45 13:54 Mr TEHAN 210911 Wannon Diesel has just hit $3.20 in Warrnambool in my electorate and in regional and rural towns right across Australia. We have people ringing in to talkback shows, saying that they're scared to drive by service stations—scared because of the price and scared because they're worried there might not be fuel in those service stations. They want to see national leadership, because this is a national crisis. They want to see an end to the politics and the endless negativity from the government on this issue. They do not want to see a government that in a national crisis blames everyone else for the issues and takes no responsibility for what is occurring around this nation. The government is being dragged kicking and screaming into having to take action, yet we are still not seeing action. Here is the Prime Minister walking in now. I say this to the Prime Minister: your backchat, your negativity, isn't working. People want to see national leadership from you, and they want to see it now. Income Tax 45 13:55 Ms MASCARENHAS 298800 Swan One year ago, the Liberal Party rejected income tax cuts. Ten months ago, the Australian people elected the biggest Labor majority government ever. Five days ago, South Australians elected another Labor government—four South Australian Liberals were elected to the lower house. If you can't tell, I'm doing the numbers. The final number I'll share is that 14 million Australians now have a tax cut because of the Labor government. This government has been focused on one practical objective: making sure that we are working for Australians to keep more of what they earn. That is exactly what our tax cuts are doing. They are delivering real relief to millions of working Australians, relief that the opposition tried to block. When these tax cuts came before the parliament, there was a clear choice, and Australians knew who stood with them. We are the party of lower taxes. We are also the party that wants to see wage earnings increase, whether that's for the minimum wage, aged-care workers or childcare workers. We have people's back pockets, and we have their backs. We will continue to work hard every day to make sure we do that. Fuel 46 13:57 Mr HASTIE 260805 Canning In a crisis, people look for leadership and they want to know that there is someone in command of the situation. By the energy minister's own admission, we are in the midst of a national fuel crisis. Under the leadership of the Albanese government, we start this crisis in one of the worst economic positions we can be in. Inflation is up, at 3.8 per cent. Interest rates are up, rents are up, power prices are up, health premiums are up and now Australians are facing more pressure because fuel prices are up. They're also facing fuel shortages. There are 500 service stations across this country without fuel. Diesel is $3 per litre and petrol is over $2.50 per litre. In a just-in-time diesel economy like ours, all those costs are being passed on to working Australians who've had their purchasing power taken away from them over the last four years under this Labor government. People want leadership. They want a plan. Our question to the Albanese government today is: Prime Minister, where is your plan? Why haven't you called a National Cabinet meeting for today, working with the state premiers to ensure that our service stations are ready to deliver fuel to the Australian people who need it? The truth is you don't have a plan. You've been caught asleep at the wheel, and now world events are going to make a lot of working Australians pay through their hip pocket. Income Tax 46 13:58 Mr LAXALE 299174 Bennelong Every day we have been in government, Labor has focused on cost-of-living challenges faced by Australians, and we know there is more to do. It's been 12 months since Labor announced top-up tax cuts for 14 million Australians. It's pretty simple for us: Labor thinks that workers should earn more and keep more of what they earn. But we know that not everyone in here thinks that way, because in that same 12 months we've had to fight the Liberals and the Nationals, who oppose Labor's top-up tax cuts. Not only did they vote against Labor's tax cuts, they then said they'd increase income taxes if they won the election. And now they've got the genius behind those decisions as the leader of their coalition. I mean, talk about failing up. Unlike the three parties over there, Labor understands that, to fix intergenerational equity, we need to give income tax payers relief. And, to do that, we need members of parliament who are focused on the real issues, not on themselves. Because Australia re-elected a Labor government, they've had just that: students have had 20 per cent slashed off their debt, PBS medicines are down to $25 per script, more and more doctors are bulk-billing and nearly 300,000 Australians have installed a home battery. Supporting Australians is what Labor governments do. Bring on those 1 July tax cuts. The SPEAKER 53517 In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded. CONDOLENCES 46 CONDOLENCES Gibbs, Dr Wylie Talbot 46 14:00 The SPEAKER 53517 I'd like to inform the House of the death on 9 March 2026 of Dr Wylie Talbot Gibbs, a member of this House for the division of Bowman from 1963 to 1969. As a mark of respect to the memory of Dr Wylie Gibbs, I invite all present to rise in their places. Honourable members having stood in their places— The SPEAKER 53517 I thank the House. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 46 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Fuel 46 14:01 Mr TAYLOR 231027 Hume My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, Australians are hurting. Fuel prices are up by over 50 per cent. Service stations are running dry. Farmers can't farm, truckies can't truck and miners can't mine. The cost of food is set to rise. Vital health services are at risk. When is the Prime Minister finally going to show leadership and fix this national crisis? 14:01 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for his question. Indeed, the government not only accepts responsibility; we're taking action. Earlier today, those opposite said that we should bring on legislation for a vote, and then, when we did, they voted against it. Sound familiar? It's exactly what they did between December and January. What we've done is introduce new laws to double penalties for petrol companies for price gouging. We've convened the National Cabinet. We've appointed a national Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator. We've begun release of the 20 per cent of Australia's fuel reserves. We've changed petrol standards to get more fuel flowing. We've changed diesel standards so Australian refineries can supply more diesel. We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and issue on-the-spot fines. We've engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing. We've engaged with the states and territories on supply and distribution, including—we've held one meeting of the National Cabinet; there'll be another one on Monday. We're holding a special energy ministers meeting. We've activated the National Coordination Mechanism, which has met twice. We've convened the National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee six times. We've unlocked money for financial counselling and funding for impacted farmers. We've changed the law to make it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding when they run at a loss and ensured that the two refineries that remained after the opposition's period in office can keep going into the future. We've fixed the fuel security services payment to make it easier for Australia's refineries to access government funding. We've changed the law so the Fair Work Commission can demand companies pay truckies fairly when fuel prices spike. As people have said—those opposite have said, the shadow Treasurer has said—there are a lot of events outside of our control. There is recognition that there's this world conflict going on that is having an impact here. Don't come in here and pretend that that doesn't exist. We understand. We understand that it's real and we understand that it makes a difference. And coming in here and pretending that this conflict—we do not know when it will end; we hope it ends soon—is not having an impact right around the globe is frankly just treating people like mugs. We know it's having an impact, and others have said that as well. Maybe they could take the advice of the former leader of the National Party. 'People just need to calm themselves down,' is what he said. Maybe he was talking about his colleagues. (Time expired) Fuel Security 47 14:05 Ms PAYNE 144732 Canberra My question is to the Prime Minister. With the war in the Middle East impacting global supply chains, how is the Albanese Labor government working across the board, including with industry, to support Australia's fuel security and supply? What has been the response? 14:05 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Canberra for her question, ably assisted by young Joseph. I congratulate her on expanding her family. Now, we understand indeed that all Australian families at the moment, businesses and farmers, are feeling the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East. The government is working with partners across the board, taking action on Australia's fuel security and supply. Whether it's with state and territory governments, whether it be with international partners or with industry, a calm, steady, fact based approach is what we are focused on, because we want Australia to be overprepared. I want us to have the strongest possible plan so we're ready for what may come. Indeed, it's been supported by industry. The BCA CEO Bran Black said, 'Australia's companies are working collaboratively with government,' and that's the point that I want to stress. This is a time where we really do need to adopt a 'team Australia' moment. It's only by working together that we'll get through it. Andrew McKellar from ACCI said, 'We've seen a number of steps that the government are taking in terms of getting consultation with industry.' He went on to say, '… national cabinet, the appointment of Anthea Harris as the national Fuel Supply Task Force Coordinator, the things that they've done in terms of fuel standards and releasing some of those reserves.' The National Farmers' Federation said, 'We acknowledge the global factors at the core of these issues, and that the need for a calm and considered approach to supply chain issues is imperative …' That's what the actual farmers have said through the NFF. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Order, members on my left will cease interjecting. There is just far too much noise. Mr ALBANESE R36 On these matters, we also act transparently. On Sunday, the minister reported that six out of the 81 ships which were due in April had been cancelled. I can confirm to the House that, of those six cancelled ships, all have been replaced, and suppliers continue securing more cargo. That's what we're doing—actually getting things done—while those opposite behave as if they're unaware that there is a war in the Middle East and can't believe there are consequences of it. On Monday we will convene the national cabinet to ensure as well that we get that coordination across the levels of government. Now, my message to Australians remains: do not take more fuel than you need. As a government, we are prepared so we can shield Australians from the worst of global uncertainty. The best way to do that is for all of us to keep working together in the national interest, and we will continue to do that with industry, with international partners, with state and territory governments, even if those opposite want to not be a part of that coordinated action. Fuel 48 14:08 Ms PENFOLD 248895 Lyne My question is to the Prime Minister. Anna, a single mum from Croydon Park in the Prime Minister's electorate, told 2GB this morning, 'I was driving my kids to their sports carnival today, panicking, driving past five fuel stations with no fuel. What do I do if there's no fuel? What if my kids get sick and I can't pick them up?' When will the Prime Minister finally take action to ensure fuel gets to his own constituents? 14:09 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Lyne for her question. Indeed, the comments from Anna in Croydon Park, of course, are real, because people out there are facing a difficult circumstance. The government acknowledges that. We don't come in here and say there's not a war. We don't come in here and say there aren't issues of distribution. What we do is come in here and put forward practical plans to make a difference. That is the responsible thing to do. That is what the then Morrison government did during the difficulties of COVID, backed by the then opposition. At a time when there are international factors that have an impact, it is the responsible thing to do to work together, as we are with industry and as we are with state and territory governments. Indeed, the comments of those opposite, whether it be Senator Canavan, the latest Leader of the Nationals—obviously, our prices will be impacted by the world price—or whether it be the— The SPEAKER 53517 The Prime Minister will pause. The member for Lyne, on a point of order? Ms Penfold 248895 On relevance—the question did not relate to anything that the opposition has said. It's about what action has been taken to get fuel to his own constituents. The SPEAKER 53517 The type of question was a question regarding a topic. The Prime Minister has addressed multiple parts of the question in terms of his answer. He's obviously reading some comments on the topic he was asked about from the party that asked it, as well. If there is a relevant point of order regarding relevance, the Prime Minister's got to make his remarks relevant—whether he's quoting a leader or another member of the House or the Senate—to what he was asked about. At this stage he's doing that, but I'm going to listen carefully to make sure that he is. Mr Tehan 210911 I would like to be clear, though: just because the member is a member of the National Party— The SPEAKER 53517 Resume your seat. That's why I followed my comments with what I said. I said, yes, if he's commenting on a leader or a member, regarding the member's party or leader, he's got to make his remarks relevant to the question that he was asked by that member. It's a fairly commonsense thing, I would suggest. The Prime Minister in continuation, and he'll make his remarks directly relevant. Mr ALBANESE R36 I also refer to my previous answer, where I outlined all of the measures that the government has taken, which are all about assisting Anna from Croydon Park and assisting, indeed, constituents wherever they are around Australia. But the idea that the context doesn't matter, that we can just wish away the impact that this is having right around the world, is of course absurd. That is what has been recognised across the board by members of the member for Lyne's own party. The member for Page said, 'I'd stress to people not necessarily to do that panic buying.' 'We obviously have reserve supplies' is what he went on to say. 'We're all hoping for an early conclusion to this conflict.' That is what the member for Page had to say, and he was right. The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The member for Page is warned. Mr ALBANESE R36 One of the many former leaders of the National Party over there also said: 'The big message for every Australian is: don't panic; the supplies are there. We all have a role to play in that—to stick to our normal daily operations and schedules and don't think that we have to always be topping up. The fuel is coming.' That was the responsible former leader once removed of the National Party. The former National Party leader twice removed said a similar thing when he said, 'People just need to calm themselves down.' This government will continue to operate in an orderly way because that's how you get things done. (Time expired) The SPEAKER 53517 Order! The member for Bowman will leave the chamber under 94(a). Interjecting 13 times in four questions is way too many times. Fuel 48 14:14 Ms STANLEY 265990 Werriwa My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government acting to get fuel where it needs to go? 14:14 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon I thank my friend and very valued neighbour and south-west Sydney colleague, the member for Werriwa, for the question. As the Prime Minister has indicated, supply to our country does remain strong. Of the six ships that we informed the nation had been cancelled on the weekend, all have been replaced with alternative supplies from alternative countries and at least three other spot cargo offers have been confirmed and are on their way to Australia. That's a good thing. And our two refineries are working full pelt with all their production exclusively for Australian use, and that is certainly the way it should be in this situation. That is not to say—as the government has always recognised—that there aren't real shortages, particularly in regional areas, that need to be addressed. What we're dealing with are a couple of things, and it's important to run through them for the House. We saw demand increase very dramatically and we saw suppliers, not unreasonably and, in fact, lawfully and legally, making sure that they supplied petrol to the people who had orders in advance—that is, people on contract. People in the spot market have not been able to be supplied at the same rate, as those contracts are honoured in the first instance—those people who ordered petrol in advance under the contract system. But we have been working very hard, and I do want to take this opportunity to say that there are a lot of people working hard at the moment. People in refineries, truckies, people in my department and people in state departments are working very hard—long hours—to try and see these shortages addressed. On behalf of the government, I want to say thank you to them. I can report to the House that today Ampol has advised me about, for example, their year-on-year supplies to regional Australia and their supplies to independent distributors. For example, supplies in March this year compared to March last year are 40 per cent higher to independent suppliers in regional New South Wales, 33 per cent higher in regional Queensland, 66 per cent higher in South Australia, 22 per cent higher in Tasmania, 19 per cent higher in Victoria and 64 per cent higher in Western Australia. That's Ampol's supplies to independent distributors. Their supplies, in total, including to their own retail outlets, are up, for example, 34 per cent in New South Wales and up 44 per cent in South Australia—I would have thought members from regional South Australia would welcome that—and are up 27 per cent in total. That does not mean there aren't shortages, as we're dealing with the increased demand and with recovering as the supply chain recovers, as it had to during COVID. In so many instances, when you get a big increase in demand, it takes time for the supply chain to recover to backfill the existing demand. But the fact that that supply to regional Australia is up substantially shows that the measures this government has put in place with industry, and in working closely in collaboration with the states, are seeing real progress, which is what Australians so desperately deserve and are receiving. Fuel 49 14:17 Mr JOYCE e5d New England My question is to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Despite the answer from the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, we're actually being contacted now by funeral homes that can't get fuel and certainly by farmers. Does the minister for agriculture see any impediments for the production, processing and transport of crucial food, crucial groceries, to metropolitan supermarkets? And, if you do see any problems, what is your contingency plan? 14:18 Ms COLLINS HWM Franklin I want to thank the member opposite. I also want to thank all of my colleagues behind me who have been representing farmers and primary producers, and talking to me about some of the challenges that they have been hearing in their electorate. We do acknowledge that there are challenges, particularly for our farmers, our fishers and our primary producers, which is why I'm meeting with them on a regular basis to hear directly from them about what is happening on the ground and so that we can address the challenges that they are experiencing. As I have said in this place, we are working with them in terms of fertiliser. As you would be well aware, we can produce enough food in this country to more than feed the Australian people, which is why we currently export around 80 per cent of our primary produce, in terms of value. The member opposite shouldn't be panicking people when it comes to food supply in this country. We will continue to work with our farmers in relation to fuel and fertiliser. Our government has already taken action, as the minister and the Prime Minister have outlined. Fuel 49 14:19 Ms JORDAN-BAIRD 316021 Gorton My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to secure our fuel supply and how are we keeping our transport industry strong during this fuel spike? What has been the response? 14:19 Ms CATHERINE KING 00AMR Ballarat I thank the member for Gorton for her question and also thank her for her advocacy for a great freight route, the Western Highway, that runs right along the spine of both of our electorates. This morning I again met with representatives from the transport and fuel sector. We are ensuring that government, industry, suppliers and unions are operating from the same information so that, when we need to move quickly, we can. As a government, we have so far released 20 per cent of the minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel, particularly directing it to regional communities. We've appointed the Fuel Supply Task Force Coordinator, Anthea Harris, to work with states and industry to ensure fuel keeps flowing to where it is needed. We've amended the fuel standards for petrol and now the flashpoint for diesel to make sure that we can get more supply onto the market. We've passed legislation—just before!—in the House to strengthen the ACCC's hand, and we continue to monitor airlines and airfares closely. We're working with regional partners like Singapore and Korea to shore up supplies, strengthen our energy security and support the flow of essential goods. The PM, of course, will hold another National Cabinet on the fuel supply, to ensure that we're getting that coordinated response right the way across the country, on Monday. We said we would move quickly to introduce to the House changes to the Fair Work Act to ensure that our truck drivers and our logistics companies can quickly renegotiate their rates with Australia's major retailers. And today we moved to do just that, because our freight industry cannot bear the cost of increased fuel prices alone, because a strong transport sector ensures our food moves from our farms to our tables, goods from warehouses to our shopfronts and fuel from our refineries to our petrol bowsers. To ensure that the transport industry remains strong, they need to have the levers to adjust quickly to what we know is a changing environment. Our amendments have been welcomed by the Australian Trucking Association, National Road Freighters Association, Road Transport Association and the TWU. They told us they were vital and urgent, but we know who didn't seem to welcome the urgency of these amendments. It was those opposite. When this was brought up for debate today, their argument was that they couldn't possibly support a quicker contract chain order, because we were moving too fast. The member for Cook said that he'd spoken to a couple of trucking companies who are worried about going insolvent, and then he and his Liberal colleagues literally, again, scuttled out of this chamber instead of voting for these changes that the trucking industry have called as being urgent. Ms CATHERINE KING 00AMR The Leader of the Opposition, who's been busy there interjecting, couldn't even be bothered to turn up for the debate at all. Our parliament has been asked to act to support the trucking industry. They might have a lot of people with 'leader' in their title over there opposite, but they are surely lacking in leadership when it comes to what is an important issue for our truck industry. (Time expired) Fuel 50 14:22 Mr TEHAN 210911 Wannon My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How many service stations in Australia are currently out of fuel, will the minister commit to publicly releasing daily updates of individual service stations that have run out of fuel and, if not, why not? 14:23 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon New South Wales today has 178 with no diesel, 48 with a total stock out. Queensland has 55 with no diesel, 33 with no regular unleaded. Victoria has 45 with no diesel, down 20, and 72 with no unleaded, down 70. South Australia has nine with no diesel, 10 with no unleaded. Western Australia has 40 with no diesel, 14 with no unleaded. Tasmania has five with no diesel and nine with some sort of outage. No outages in the Northern Territory are attributable to a lack of fuel supply. In the ACT, currently, there are two with no diesel and one with no unleaded. But, as I said yesterday, I'm advised that these shortages in the ACT are typically dealt with within the hour. Now, I will continue, as appropriate, to be giving the Australian people updates as I have done for the last month, as do state premiers. This data is collected primarily by the states. The Commonwealth data is shared with the states regularly. The states share data with me regularly, and of course premiers are providing daily updates as well. International Relations: Australia and Germany 50 14:24 Mr GOSLING 245392 Solomon My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How are Australia and Germany strengthening cooperation between our defence forces and our defence industries, and why is this important? 14:24 Mr MARLES HWQ Corio I thank the member for his question and acknowledge his great contribution as the government's special envoy for defence. This morning, I had the very real pleasure of meeting with my good friend Boris Pistorius, the German Minister for Defence. Germany is the third-largest economy in the world, with a growing defence budget. It is already far and away the largest contributor in support of Ukraine, and it is becoming one of the major defence players in the world. Given we share values and we have deep trust, the Germany-Australia defence relationship is profoundly important. And, as Minister Pistorius has said, Germany is also a country which supports the global rules-based order—an order which gives agency to middle powers like Australia, an order which is very much, therefore, in our national interest. Precisely because the order is under pressure, it is an order which must be defended and spoken for right now, which is why we are so appreciative of the comments that Minister Pistorius and, for that matter, President von der Leyen have made in Canberra this week. Our relationship has an operational dimension. In 2023, when we sent our first E-7 to Europe in support of Ukraine, it operated out of the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, and, in turn, Germany participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre here last year and will do so again with its Eurofighters in Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin in July. Today we signed a letter of intent to cooperate in respect of space because space-domain awareness is a critical part of modern military capability. There is also a very significant defence industry dimension to the relationship. Rheinmetall, a German company, has established a facility in Brisbane, which is providing high-skill, high-wage jobs in your electorate, Mr Speaker, where it is building combat reconnaissance vehicles, the Boxers, for both the German and the Australian armies. When Minister Pistorius visits Brisbane tomorrow, we will sign a letter of cooperation with TDW, a German company which will be involved in the manufacture of missiles here in Australia. We are on opposite sides of the globe, but, in an increasingly connected world, the Germany-Australia defence relationship is becoming more and more important, and that is fantastic because Germany is a reliable and trusted friend of Australia. Fuel 51 14:28 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Shane from Penrith told me: 'The way things are going, I won't be able to afford to go to work. It's either pay the bills and starve or eat and not pay the bills.' Minister, when will the government take action to ensure that fuel gets to where it needs to go so that Australians like Shane don't have to choose between eating and driving. And why won't the minister commit to daily updates of individual service stations that have run out of fuel? 14:28 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon I thank the honourable member for her question. I would say to Shane, as I say to the honourable member and as I say to the House, that this government has been taking action since 28 February to ensure that our nation deals with this very difficult international situation in a way which makes sure that Australians have confidence that they have supply and that the supply that comes to Australia is distributed to them. That's what we've been doing. The honourable member talks about petrol prices. We've always said, as my predecessors have said—it has long been the situation for energy ministers and treasurers who consistently say it because it happens to be true—the biggest impact on petrol prices will be oil prices internationally. That will always be the case, and oil prices are high for pretty obvious reasons. That would be the case regardless of who is in office. In relation—the honourable member put a lot into the question, to be fair! In relation to service station updates, I've been giving those each day—more than happy to do so. I would point out to the House that every state has an app or a website where service station information is available, and every state collects that as a matter of law. If honourable members want to argue for a national system; that has been tried before—and I seem to recall who was for it and who was against it. Iranian Visitor Visas 51 14:30 Mr NG 316052 Menzies My question is to the minister for immigration. Can the minister provide clarity about the arrival control determination regarding Iranian visitor visas. Who is affected and who is not affected, and who will be shown compassion in sympathetic cases? 14:30 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I thank the member for Menzies for the question. I want to acknowledge the extraordinary work he's been doing with the Iranian-Australian community in his electorate and acknowledge the consultation that both the assistant minister for multicultural affairs and the assistant minister for immigration have been doing, as well as myself, with the community in the lead-up to making the determination, which I signed off on yesterday. It's very important for us to understand what this determination is, who it affects, who it doesn't, and why the government has put it in place. It is always the case, when temporary visas are issued, that one of the things that my officials weigh up is how likely is it that someone will seek to continue to stay beyond the length of the visa. What that means is when you get a sudden conflict like has happened with Iran, you have a large number of people who've been issued visas who, if they applied now, would in fact not be eligible for those visas. And until these determinations were possible, we could only go through that case by case. This is the first time that I know of, for a long time, where the number of visas that were already issued was as large as this, in the order of more than 7,000 temporary visas that had already been issued. All of them were issued properly, but in a circumstance which no longer applied. The government has a very clear view that decisions about permanent stays in Australia should be a deliberate decision of the government, not a random consequence of who was planning to book a holiday here. In terms of who was affected, the order only applies to people with visitor visas. We have not applied it to any other form of temporary visa. It does not apply to the spouse, de facto partner or dependent child of an Australian citizen. It does not apply to somebody who holds a permanent visa. It does not apply to anybody who is already here. It does not apply to the parent of a child who is under 18 and in Australia. It doesn't apply to somebody who has what we call a permitted travel certificate. Now these travel certificates—because there will be members of parliament who are approached and asked to bring these cases forward—I just want to explain what they are. The department is still able, where there are compelling circumstances, to say that individuals should be able to come on the visitor visa, but those decisions are made case by case by the department. I have directed the department, as a result of the consultation that I referred to before, including some specific advocacy that came from the member for Menzies, the member for Deakin and the member for Bennelong, to specifically ask my officials to show sympathetic consideration for any cases that involve the parents of Australian citizens, regardless of the age of the Australian citizens. Obviously, the compassionate circumstances will be broader than that. But it's just very important. I am grateful for the chance—for the member for Menzies—to explain who it applies to, who it doesn't and what the pathway is for sympathetic consideration. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS 52 DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Acknowledgement 52 14:33 The SPEAKER 53517 I'm pleased to inform the House that present in the special visitor's gallery today is a delegation from the Australian Political Exchange Council's 16th delegation from the Philippines led by the Honourable Congresswoman Charisse Anne Hernandez. Welcome to you all. Honourable members: Hear hear! QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 52 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Fuel 52 14:33 Ms LANDRY 249764 Capricornia My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Given the minister's advice today that more than 500 petrol stations are without at least one type of fuel across Australia, can the minister guarantee that Australians planning to travel to the regions to see their families over Easter will be able to fill up their cars to come home? And why won't the minister commit to daily updates of individual service stations that have run out of fuel? 14:34 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon I thank the honourable member for her question and I reiterate the figures I revealed earlier in question time. For example, Ampol's distribution to regional Queensland, which is up very substantially, year on year, shows that the entire industry is working hard to catch up with the massive spike in demand that we saw after 28 February. I would have thought the honourable member would welcome that increase in supply and recognise that it is working, and will work, to deal with those shortages, which we all agree are unacceptable. As I've said, there are so many people working so hard across government and across industry, collaboratively, to see this dealt with. That is helpful. I will tell the House what is unhelpful—not recognising that Australia's fuel supply is secure, not accepting the fact that the ships that have been cancelled have been replaced and misleading Australians that somehow some of the fuel from our refineries is being exported at the moment, which just isn't true, and linking it somehow to net zero. That is all untrue and unhelpful. This is a time for the nation to come together. We'll be working hard—we are working hard and have been working hard—to ensure that Australians have access to fuel not only over Easter, which the honourable member just asked me about, but— The SPEAKER 53517 The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order. Mr Tehan 210911 It's a very specific question. It asks for a guarantee and whether you will provide public data about individual service stations. Why the needless secrecy? The SPEAKER 53517 Resume your seat. The Leader of the House. Mr Burke DYW I'll just raise again that it now has to be deliberate from the Manager of Opposition Business to continually take points of order and to pretend to the House that not all of the elements of a question were part of the question when he's raising points of order on direct relevance. The SPEAKER 53517 The manager is entitled to raise his point of order and he's doing his job, but I ask him to, when he's doing his job, ensure that the standing orders are being followed. The minister was mid-flight when he was talking about Easter. He was specifically asked about the petrol supplies during Easter and what he was doing about that. It's very difficult, and I give some leeway to the manager because of the position he has, but I ask all members to respect the standing orders. You can't pick and choose which part of the question you think has or hasn't been answered; it's always been done in a total environment. I'll make sure the manager is respected with his points of order. I'm going to make sure the minister is also respected with his answer, because he is being directly relevant to the question that he was asked, and I'll ask him to continue. Mr BOWEN DZS I was making the point that the government has been working not just in the lead-up to Easter. We will continue to work in the lead-up to Easter and, of course, we'll all be working during Easter, with the industry, to make sure that's the case. In relation to updates, I've provided updates in the House each day. No doubt I'll do that next week. No doubt I'll be active in the public over the weekend. I'll be answering questions as I have done on many days since 28 February. I will also point out that premiers are doing the same. That's a good thing. Premier Minns is providing a daily update on service station closures in his state. That's appropriate. There are information-gathering powers in his state, and I welcome the action he's taken. I do point out that every single state runs a service station website which has information available to the public. There was a chance, a few years ago, to have a national website; the Liberal Party opposed that. That's okay. The states are providing very useful updates, as is the Commonwealth. Wages and Salaries 53 14:38 Mr WATTS 193430 Gellibrand My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese government delivering for low-paid workers? 14:38 Ms RISHWORTH HWA Kingston I'd like to thank the member for Gellibrand for his question and his passionate support of workers right across this country, including, of course, in Melbourne. Our government is committed to getting wages moving. Today, our Labor government announced that we will again advocate to the Fair Work Commission for an economically sustainable real wage increase for our lowest paid workers on minimum award wages. This would help almost 2.7 million workers across the country, including cleaners, retail workers, security guards, hospitality workers—many of whom rely on minimum award wages. These workers are often on lower wages and are more likely to be women, be employed on a casual basis or working part time and be younger. Our government's submission to the Fair Work Commission advocating for a real-wage increase is supporting these Australians—Australians like James, who I met today, who works in security at the airport. Workers like James rely on award wages to put food on the table, pay the bills and plan for the future. James told me workers like him 'deserve a real-wage increase for all the time and effort they put in to ensure that they can go home and not be stressed'. He said that's exactly what a wage increase will mean. This Labor government has advocated for a wage increase for minimum award wage earners every single year that it has been in government. Since coming to government, the minimum wage has increased by more than $9,000 a year, and, of course, we have legislated to protect penalty and overtime rates for these same workers because they are an important part of their pay packets. Our government is also committed to getting wages moving through reinvigorating enterprise bargaining. Under this government, we've seen a record number of workers on enterprise bargaining agreements—the highest since enterprise bargaining first commenced. The most recent data shows that 2.7 million workers are on these agreements. The most recent data also shows workers covered by enterprise agreements are receiving decent annual wage increases. Whether it's sticking up for our minimum award wage earners, supporting workers in getting a better deal at work or ensuring workers who are doing the same job get the same pay, it is only this Labor government that can be trusted to support workers right around this country. Fuel, Great Western Highway 53 14:41 Mr GEE 261393 Calare My question is to the Prime Minister. Our communities are being throttled by the twin crises of the fuel supply emergency and the indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway caused by the failure of a bridge built by a convict chain gang in 1832. Firstly, will you now support my Fair Fuel Price Bill, which would bring in federal government fuel-price controls and stop the rip-offs? Secondly, will your government slash the fuel excise tax? Thirdly, will you and the New South Wales government deliver a support package for our local businesses being smashed up by this highway closure? 14:42 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Calare for his question and thank him as well for the courtesy of raising it with me in a meeting that we held earlier this morning. I'm always happy to meet with members of parliament, regardless of where they sit, particularly about issues relating to their local electorates. The member for Calare is of course concerned about the impact that the closure of the Great Western Highway has on his electorate, because that's essentially the entry from Sydney and the Blue Mountains through to the greater west, including Lithgow and Bathurst and Orange, and all of those people are dependent upon this road. Specialist engineers have advised that the road is not safe, and it obviously can't reopen until it is safe. The member also has advised that some of the alternative routes—that there are safety issues with regard to them. I'll be raising that with the New South Wales minister as well, to make sure that those issues are dealt with. It's a serious situation. It's not a quick or a simple repair. Significant cracking and movement had been detected in the substructure. As the member has said, it's 194 years old, Mitchell's Causeway, also known as the convict bridge because, literally, that was when it was built. The truth is that all governments, state and federal, probably should have done something about this, quite clearly, before. The fact that it has had such an impact is indeed of real concern. On 19 March, the New South Wales government announced the establishment of the Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce. This is designed to streamline support to those impacted by the prolonged closure of the Great Western Highway. The member has raised the issue of businesses in that area. That will go through that particular taskforce as well. I'll speak with the New South Wales government about these issues. The New South Wales government has announced $50 million for the detour routes, and my office is in ongoing contact with Minister Aitchison's office and will continue to engage. I understand that your office has been offered a briefing by Minister Aitchison's office on the situation. If that is not the case, certainly I'll undertake to personally take that up with Jenny. She's an effective minister, and I'm sure she will be concerned about the impact that is there. Cost of Living 54 14:45 Mr LIM 300130 Tangney My question is to the Treasurer. Why is the Albanese Labor government's cost-of-living help so important? And how does this compare to other approaches? 14:45 Dr CHALMERS 37998 Rankin The member for Tangney is a much loved and respected member of our team, and I'm very grateful to him for the question. As the employment minister was saying a moment ago, the government's submission to the annual wage review today is all about a decent pay rise to help Australian workers on awards with the cost of living. We know that people are under pressure. We saw that in the inflation and confidence numbers this week. We know they're worried about developments in the Middle East and what that means for us, especially when it comes to fuel. From a purely economic and markets point of view, the end of the war in the Middle East can't come soon enough. But, in the interim, we are working very hard, engaging with suppliers, regulators, industries and states and with our international partners to secure supply. We are doing what we can to ensure that the war is no excuse to rip people off at the bowser. That's why the increases to the penalties that passed the House today, and hopefully will pass the Senate this arvo, are so important, to make sure Australian motorists aren't being treated as mugs. That legislation passed the House earlier today despite the bizarre efforts we saw from the opposition. They came in here this morning, they suspended standing orders, they demanded that it be considered immediately—and then they voted against it! They gave angry speeches about how urgent it was, and then they voted to delay it. And it gets worse. When it came time for the final vote, when it came time to support the motorists and drivers of this country, they literally scurried out of the chamber. Doesn't that say it all? Today is not the first time the member for Hume has voted against the interests of Australians who are under pressure. As it turns out, today is the one-year anniversary of when the member for Hume got all those colleagues to vote against tax cuts for 14 million Australian workers. And, one year ago tomorrow, he promised that if he was the Treasurer of this country he would repeal those tax cuts for 14 million Australians. He took to the election a policy of higher taxes, bigger deficits and more debt. If he had his way, Australians would be worse off, and the budget would be weaker. And we know they haven't learned a thing from the last election. We know they haven't changed a bit, because they then went and made him the Leader of the Opposition. But his successor as shadow Treasurer is no better. The shadow Treasurer has spent recent weeks betting against Australia on the share market, getting the fuel excise wrong and behaving in here like some kind of karaoke clown. But we have been dealing with these serious issues in a serious way. The tax cuts are part of that. Our efforts in fuel markets are part of that, and our efforts to get a decent pay rise for award workers are as well. Fuel Security 54 14:48 Mr PASIN 240756 Barker My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Mary Morris, a fourth-generation farmer from Eudunda, needs fuel today—for her tractors, for her spray unit and to seed her crop, not to mention for her truck and her utes. Mary's been told that, despite her business being re-categorised as 'critical' and ordering her fuel on 4 March, the earliest she can expect her fuel is 1 April. Minister, why is Mary having to wait four weeks for the fuel she needs to farm? 14:49 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon Thank you very much— The SPEAKER 53517 The Minister for Aged Care will cease interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 The Minister for Aged Care is warned. The Minister for Climate Change and Energy hasn't even begun his answer. To be interjecting in such a disorderly way is completely against the standing orders. Mr BOWEN DZS I thank the honourable member for the question. If the honourable member wants to give me Mary's details—as other honourable members have been to see me in my office and have raised cases on behalf of their constituents—I will take it up and see what can be done through talking to suppliers because I understand the pressure that Mary's under. I have done that on multiple occasions for members opposite. More broadly, I will say I told the House earlier, for example, that Ampol's supply to regional South Australia is up 44 per cent. I'm now in a position to share the figures of Viva, the other refiner. The Deputy Prime Minister and the member for Corangamite are very proud of our Geelong refinery, as we are. Their supply to regional Australia, year on year, is up 43 per cent in New South Wales, 22 per cent in Queensland, 14 per cent in South Australia and 8 per cent in Western Australia. If you take Ampol and Viva together, they are supplying a lot more petrol and diesel to regional Australia now than they were a year ago. That is catching up with that massive increase in demand that we saw in the days following 28 February. That is showing progress in a difficult circumstance. Again, this government is working across the board with industry, with states, with peak groups and with farming groups. I want to give a particular mention to the National Farmers' Federation's constructive approach with me; with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and with others across the board—with the Treasurer and all of us. They have been working very constructively with us in this because they recognise this is, internationally, a very difficult circumstance. It's time for people of goodwill to come together. That's what adults in the room do. Fuel 55 14:51 Mr FRENCH 316550 Moore My question is to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services. How is the Albanese government acting to protect consumers, maintain economic stability and ensure that businesses are operating responsibly in the face of heightened global volatility? 14:52 Dr MULINO 132880 Fraser I thank the member for Moore for his question and acknowledge that he's been a champion for consumers and for cost-of-living supports throughout his time in this chamber. Many Australians are under pressure, and recent global events are adding further stress and uncertainty. The rising cost of fuel, in particular, is a major challenge. Nobody—and I mean nobody—should be trying to take advantage of the conflict in the Middle East to price gouge and profiteer. I urge all businesses to operate responsibly and to treat their fellow Australians with respect. We are taking action to protect Australian motorists. In 2022 we increased the maximum penalty for anticompetitive behaviour fivefold to $50 million. And yesterday the Treasurer introduced legislation—after having worked with the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury—which again will increase the maximum penalty the ACCC can hand down, taking it from $50 million to $100 million. Today we passed that legislation through the House. Unfortunately, as always, the opposition has been confused and opportunistic. They said that we needed to act quickly, but now they're also claiming that we're rushing things. And it's not the first time we've heard this. Well, we make no apologies for acting swiftly on these matters. I have a message for any fuel retailers who seek to make Australians pay more than they should: it is those who are trying to make a quick buck who will ultimately pay the most. We have also extended the ACCC's petrol price monitoring program for a further five years and ensured it can issue infringement notices where it suspects misleading conduct. The ACCC has put the sector on notice and made clear it will not hesitate to act if laws are broken, moving quickly to safeguard supply through tightly controlled supply coordination while stepping up price surveillance and enforcement. We know that it's not just petrol and that things can be tough. That's why our government continues to roll out responsible, targeted cost-of-living relief. This includes two rounds of further tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer, cuts to student debt, cheaper medicines and cheaper child care. We're making it easier and more affordable to see a doctor. Almost all of those measures were voted against by those opposite. We're also backing increases to minimum and award wages, delivering cheaper energy and free TAFE, and boosting government funded paid parental leave. We are closely monitoring events in the Middle East and their impact on the Australian economy. We will continue to take action to ensure that our markets operate fairly and competitively, and we will continue to roll out responsible, targeted cost-of-living relief. Fuel 56 14:54 Ms LE 295676 Fowler My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, constituents have told me today that fuel is now $3.15 in Fowler, south-west of Sydney. Since my question to the Treasurer on Tuesday, when he failed to answer—will you follow Italy's prime minister and cut fuel excise temporarily to provide immediate relief at the bowser? 14:55 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for Fowler for her question. It goes to the pressures that people are under when costs rise. I'd say to your constituents in Fowler two things. The first is, yes, the war in the Middle East is having an impact right around the world, whether it be in Fowler or in Grayndler, whether it be in Europe, in Asia, in North America, in South America—everywhere. Nowhere is immune to the impact that this Middle East war is having, and that flows down from an impact on the national economy right through to an impact on individuals. Our job is to do what we can to shield people, such as the member for Fowler's constituents, from the worst impacts of what is a global event—not one that we chose, not one that we're participating in, but one which impacts us. And that's why, as well—as the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer have just said—the tax cuts that have gone to every single worker in your electorate will make a difference. Some 65,000 taxpayers in your electorate alone are getting an average tax cut of more than $2,000 every year. That's why the student debt relief that helped 23,000 of your constituents will make a difference as well. The $15.7 million that's been saved on three million scripts in Fowler will make a difference for those constituents. The 15,600 people who've gone to the Liverpool Medicare Urgent Care Clinic—that has made a difference as well. In addition to that— The SPEAKER: The Prime Minister will pause. The member for Fowler on a point of order—the Prime Minister has completed his answer. Resume your seat. Tropical Cyclone Narelle 56 14:57 Ms SCRYMGOUR F2S Lingiari My question is to the Minister for Emergency Management. Minister, how has the Albanese government been supporting communities impacted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle? And can you, Minister, please provide an update on the current situation? 14:58 Ms McBAIN 281988 Eden-Monaro I thank the member for Lingiari for her question, and I thank her, the member for Solomon, the member for Leichhardt and, in the other place, the Minister for Indigenous Australians for their commitment to keeping communities informed and safe in what has been an incredibly difficult period in the north, with floods and cyclones. I also want to acknowledge our emergency services workers—from the SES to health workers, from first responders to our defence personnel—and spontaneous volunteers who have been working incredibly hard in extremely tough conditions. Last Thursday, we held two National Coordination Mechanism meetings for Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle to provide situational awareness on the weather impacts and ensure preparedness across government and agencies. NEMA activated the national Crisis Coordination Team to assist with planning for, and coordination of, the Australian government's response. We've had NEMA officials embedded in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia to provide support during these events, and we've been working really closely with the Northern Territory and Queensland governments to enact a range of assistance packages. In the Northern Territory, we've activated support in 20 local government areas, with personal hardship assistance available in nine local government areas and three unincorporated areas. This is in addition to the Australian government disaster recovery payment being activated in a number of areas, including Katherine, Daly River and Palumpa. We've had ADF personnel on the ground in Katherine for clean-up support as well as helping with the evacuation of hundreds of people from Numbulwar to Darwin. We also have an AUSMAT field hospital which has been set up in East Katherine to assist with transfers from Katherine District Hospital. In Queensland, we have jointly activated disaster recovery funding arrangements in 61 local government areas. Long-term recovery will be strengthened by a suite of additional support packages worth over $107 million, funded jointly by the Albanese and Crisafulli governments. This builds on the more than $66 million in measures already announced in response to the Queensland monsoon trough, Cyclone Koji and severe weather events that commenced on 24 December last year. This morning in the National Situation Room, I received a further updated brief, and today Tropical Cyclone Narelle will make its way down the WA coast as a severe category 3, with wind gusts up to 185 kilometres an hour. It may strengthen to a category 4 before it impacts the far western Pilbara coast tonight. People should stay vigilant, as conditions will change quickly. Follow flood advice warnings, be prepared to enact your emergency plan and ensure your emergency kit has everything you need, including food supplies, spare batteries and important documents. I've been in contact with my WA counterpart, Minister Papalia in the WA government, and offered the Albanese government's support and assistance. Disaster recovery is a long and challenging road, but the Albanese government is here for the long term and will continue to work with all the states and territories as we move from response to recovery this high-risk weather season. Fuel 57 15:01 Mr REBELLO 316547 McPherson My question is to the Prime Minister. Godden Food, a food wholesaler who operate through my electorate between Sydney and Brisbane with 50 trucks, were told at 3 pm yesterday that they could not access any fuel from their distributor. They state that, as a result, this will lead to an increase in food prices at the supermarket. Prime Minister, when will you take action to ensure the fuel gets to where it needs to get to? 15:02 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I thank the member for his question. Earlier today, there were two pieces of legislation before the parliament. One was on the ACCC and increased penalties. The second went directly to the issue of trucking and transport. Indeed, what happened was that the coalition came in here and moved a suspension of standing orders to bring forward the ACCC legislation through all stages to increase penalties. They did that, and in that debate they said, 'We'll support anything to do with the fuel crisis, and it needs to be done today—not delayed, done today.' So the Leader of the House moved an amendment to the motion to ensure that the two pieces of legislation that were before the House both increased penalties for any breach and abuse of price gouging—one would have thought that something that would receive support—and was also directly about trucking, directly about the question that's raised by the member for McPherson. Opposition members interjecting— Mr ALBANESE R36 It's completely direct. The SPEAKER 53517 Order! Look, the Prime Minister was in the middle of talking about the question he was asked, but I'll listen to the manager. Mr Tehan 210911 It goes to direct relevance. There's a food wholesaler who has 50 trucks that can't get fuel. That's the question. The SPEAKER 53517 Just to remind the manager: you don't need to explain it all. I know it's the point of relevance. When he was asked about access and the trucks from Sydney to the Gold Coast or the area of the member's electorate and the price impacts on that, and when will the Prime Minister take action, if he's talking about legislation that he's introduced or the government has done, that is action that I think anyone—'when will the Prime Minister take action to ensure fuel gets to where it is?' He's giving information to the House which of course is directly relevant. Mr ALBANESE R36 I was asked: when will we take action? Today. This morning, we did. What's it got to do with trucking? Well, that's what the legislation was about. You asked that it be brought forward. You then voted against your own suspension of standing orders and then, when the legislation was put before the parliament, you scurried out. You weren't even here to vote to defend the exact circumstances raised by the member for McPherson. Then they have the hide to have the same person who moved the suspension of standing orders write the question and give it to the member for McPherson and say: 'Here, ask this.' Well, I say to the member for McPherson, who's new, that you don't have to read out every question you're given. I say to the member for McPherson: be very wary of what this guy gives you. We had direct legislation to make a difference before the parliament today, and they voted against it. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 57 15:06 Ms TEMPLEMAN 181810 Macquarie My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering cost-of-living relief by making medicines cheaper for all Australians? How are new medicines being added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme helping to improve the lives of Australians with multiple myeloma? Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 53517 Order! Members on my left, I want silence in the House. A serious question was asked by the member for Macquarie, and I'd like the minister to be heard in silence. 15:06 Mr BUTLER HWK Hindmarsh I say thank you to the member for Macquarie, firstly, for her support for all of the new services we've rolled out in her electorate—the new Medicare mental health centre, an endometriosis clinic, a second headspace and, of course, the urgent care clinic in Windsor that opened this year—but also for her question, because she knows that there are more than 20,000 Australians today battling myeloma and 2,500 new cases diagnosed every single year. The five-year survival rate for myeloma is just 60 per cent, with 1,200 Australians or more losing their battle with this bone marrow cancer every single year. Part of the reason why that survival rate is relatively low has been the lack of new treatments on the PBS—but that is changing. Last November, we listed the first new treatment for myeloma on the PBS for 12 years. Darzalex is a first-line treatment for people who've just been diagnosed. Before it was listed in November, it cost patients $440,000 for a course of treatment. But, now, around 1,300 or 1,400 patients every single year will be receiving this life-changing treatment for just PBS prices. Next week, we'll list another treatment, the second in just six months after 12 years of nothing. Elrexfio will be available for patients whose myeloma has relapsed after several lines of other treatment. Instead of paying $5,000 for every script for this treatment, again, they'll pay no more than $25. I'm also pleased to say that we're very close to finalising a deal with state governments to deliver a CAR-T cell therapy, Carvykti, that was recommended to us a little while ago and has to be delivered through the state hospital system. Yesterday, I met with leaders of the myeloma community, including the president of Myeloma Australia, Jeff Browne, who AFL fans will remember as the former president of the Collingwood Football Club. We've forgiven him for that because he does such great work in his community! He was here with clinician Hayley Beer and Professor Simon Harrison, both from the Peter Mac Centre, not just giving me advice and insights but, I know, meeting members and senators across the parliament, across the political divide. I thank people for taking those meetings and them for coming to parliament. People like Jeff and the much-loved Sandy Roberts are the public face of this community. But, behind them, literally hundreds of patients, family members and clinicians drive this vigorous community seeking to battle this insidious disease. They all know the cherished value of the PBS, bringing the best medicines from around the world to Australia at affordable prices for patients. Mr Albanese R36 I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. DOCUMENTS 58 DOCUMENTS Presentation 58 15:10 Mr BURKE DYW Watson A document is tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the document will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS 58 DISTINGUISHED VISITORS Acknowledgement 58 15:10 The SPEAKER 53517 I'm pleased to advise the House that joining us in the gallery now are representatives of the Australian Association of Voice Actors, Simon Kennedy, Teresa Lim and Cecelia Ramsdale. Welcome to question time. Honourable members: Hear, hear! MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 58 MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Labor Government 58 15:10 The SPEAKER 53517 I advise the House that I have received a letter from the honourable the Leader of the Opposition proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government's failure to provide national leadership. I call upon those honourable members who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places. More than the number of members required by the standing orders having risen in their places— 15:11 Mr TAYLOR 231027 Hume Across our great country, Australians are hurting. Australians are pulling up at the petrol station to see those yellow plastic tickets saying the bowser is empty. There's no fuel. Service stations are running dry. Prices are surging. They're up by over 50 per cent—by far more for diesel, and, of course, that's so important to our farmers and our truckies. Uncertainty is growing, and Australians can see it with their own eyes. They don't need bureaucrats to tell them about it. They don't need prime ministers or ministers to tell them about it—not that they— Opposition members interjecting— Mr TAYLOR 231027 Yes, exactly. They are living it every single day. Every single day we see farmers sleeping alongside their machinery to protect the fuel they need to plant or harvest their crops. That's what's happening. We see fuel being siphoned from vehicles so that Australians in suburbs around our country can have the fuel that they need to make ends meet. Truck drivers are cutting back on deliveries because they simply can't afford the fuel. They can't rely on the supply, because it has become unreliable. Yet, in the face of all this, we have seen Labor ministers standing up and telling Australians that it's all okay, that it's all tickety-boo, that there's not a problem here and that Australians shouldn't believe what they're seeing. It's all misinformation. It's all fake news. They have said that supply is stronger than ever, that stocks are higher than ever, that there is no crisis and that we're not there yet. But Australians are there. When they fill up their cars and they look at the price they pay or they look at those tickets saying there's nothing in the bowser, they know what's going on. There are small businesses across this country that are being forced to choose between passing on their costs to customers or struggling to lay off workers. We heard about Mary earlier on; we heard about Godden Food earlier on as well. We got some kind of completely unintelligible answer on Godden Food. It certainly didn't mention the challenges that Godden Food was facing. Before any of this happened, Australia's economy and Australians were under strain. There have been two interest rate increases. More are expected. Inflation is surging, and Australians are struggling to make ends meet within an economy that is not working for them. I will lay out a couple of facts that I think are quite striking. The Treasurer likes to crow about how, under his time as Treasurer, the economy has grown in aggregate by 7½ per cent, and he thinks that's terribly impressive. What he forgets to say is that the population of Australia has grown by—wait for it—7½ per cent. It's exactly the same number. We know that nearly all of that is immigration. This is an economy that does not deliver to Australians. It gets worse, though, because, even to achieve that flat outcome—GDP per person hasn't moved and hasn't gone up—Australians have had to work more hours per person, 4½ per cent. They're working harder for less in an economy with raging inflation, rising interest rates, government spending growing faster than anything in the economy, and non-market services and all the things that government funds growing faster than the private sector, which has been crowded out by a government that thinks a government directed economy is the answer to everything. It's not, and, in that context—when Australians are working harder for less and when they're going backwards—we are hit with a fuel crisis that this government has completely failed to acknowledge and certainly failed to take action on and fix. Labor's response to this has been absolutely shocking. When the Prime Minister was in opposition, he said that leadership was all about taking responsibility. He said it many, many times. He said, 'Australia needed a government that would accept responsibility and tell it straight.' He said as Prime Minister that the buck would stop with him. They were his words. But, now in office and faced with a fuel crisis, it's all changed. They took days and days before they could accept there was a national crisis, and, well before that, it was all completely fine. What Australians really want from this government and from this prime minister is leadership. That's what they want. They want leadership. The Premier of Queensland—who shows leadership all the time—David Crisafulli has said; 'All we're after is a national plan. It is a national crisis, and it does need action.' New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has said that the response to the crisis 'needs to be done on a national level'. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has said, 'Action should be coordinated at the national level.' These premiers aren't on our side of politics, but they know who needs to take responsibility. Even the Prime Minister himself has accepted that national coordination is essential. It's just that he's forgotten to do it. We're all taught from a young age that we're going to meet adversity in our lives. Tough things happen—tough things happen in our country; tough things happen in our lives—but what matters is how we respond to it. Clearly our parents didn't have this prime minister or this government in mind when they said it, because you can contrast this government's inaction with what we did to secure our fuel supplies in this country. The two actions that this minister, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, is most fond of reciting were done by us when we were in government. We guaranteed the future of our refineries in Geelong and at Lytton. I stood up with the head of the AWU and announced the refinery guarantee up at Lytton in Queensland. I stood to celebrate with the Deputy Prime Minister in Geelong to secure the future of those refineries which have been the only good news in achieving in what's been done over the last couple of weeks. The extraordinary thing is this energy minister forced one of those refineries to export all their petrol. He forced them with his emissions obsession to export their petrol. It took him weeks before he worked this out and actually finally changed the rules when he came under pressure. The other initiative that he loves to talk about is the extra storages that have been built and the Mandatory Stockholding Obligation put in place by us. We invested $200 million to build an extra 780 megalitres of diesel storage, which have obviously contributed to higher stock holdings than we otherwise would have had. Australians are right to ask why this government has responded so pathetically to what we've seen, but we know. They are obsessed with net zero. We know that they don't want to see coal, gas and fuel in this country into the future. They haven't approved projects. They've made it harder for those industries to survive and sustain our energy system in this country. They've funded activists to engage in lawfare; the EDO is out there stopping these projects week by week, undermining our fuel security in this country. They've put in place the safeguard mechanism, with high penalties and high taxes. Effectively, this is a carbon tax on industry in this country. It's a carbon tax on our manufacturers, on our aluminium smelters and on our fuel refineries. I tell you what, when we get into government, it's going—that carbon tax that they have snuck in and are imposing on all Australians, along with their vehicle emissions tax, another carbon tax. We know they're looking at farmers; they're going to go after them. There's their Capacity Investment Scheme that's working as a carbon tax in the electricity system. This government has undermined our energy security and our fuel security since they came into government. This prime minister has failed to take leadership. Every Australian is paying a price for that. The government needs to take responsibility and fix the problem in front of it and become a responsible government for this great country. 15:21 Dr CHARLTON I8M Parramatta It is true that Australians want strong and principled leadership. That leadership is never more important than in a crisis, and that's why that leadership is exactly what the Albanese government has been providing in this crisis. We have taken swift action to put our reserves onshore, to release 20 per cent of those reserves and to change fuel standards so that more of Australia's fuel stays in Australia. We've done a deal to make sure that that fuel gets where it needs to be in the regions. We've got the ACCC to police price gouging. We've appointed a fuel coordinator to work with the states, and, now, the Prime Minister is convening National Cabinet to provide national leadership. Colleagues, this is leadership. This is action. This is taking responsibility in a crisis. This is what serious times require. As a contrast to the leadership provided by the Prime Minister and the Albanese government, let's do a quick review on the conduct of the Leader of the Opposition during this crisis. Friends, I wouldn't call the way that he has carried on textbook leadership. This is a man who let four out of six Australian refineries close under his leadership, when he was the energy minister, placing Australia in the precarious position that we currently find ourselves in. This is the man who made Australian fuel reserves locate to Texas, where they would have been of no use to us in this crisis. Yet here he is complaining about the current situation as if he had nothing to do with it. The hypocrisy, the gall, the front—you couldn't make it up. In a time of crisis, this leader of the opposition has been playing politics and creating fear. Then he comes into this House and suggests a matter of public importance related to leadership! Well, friends, this is a masterclass in bad leadership from the Leader of the Opposition. If you want to know why Australians are moving in their droves from the Liberals to One Nation, this is an example of why. They're moving because, in a national crisis, the Leader of the Opposition, a person who purports to be the alternative prime minister, somebody who says they could be in government, is offering no solutions, only slogans and a litany of complaints without a single constructive suggestion. He's big on blame, blank on policy. Australians are looking at this as an alternative party of government and saying: 'If you've got no solutions to the crisis that we're in, if you're unwilling to play any constructive role and if you want to paint yourself as just a party of complaint, then why would I bother voting for you? I may as well vote for the genuine party of complaint, One Nation.' If they want a rock thrower, they'll find a rock thrower in One Nation. The truth is that that is the reason why Australians are moving in droves from the Liberals to One Nation. If the Liberal Party has abandoned its claim to be a real alternative party of government, then why would any Australian vote for them? In the Labor Party, we are dealing with this challenge. We are in the white water, navigating through choppy currents with decisive action while they are shouting from the bank. The Australian people know that that is not leadership. The Australian people know that they shouldn't invest their vote in a party that doesn't have any solutions, only complaints. That is why they are losing voters to One Nation in droves. It is a bit hard to take a lecture on leadership from the Leader of the Opposition. Let's walk through some qualities of leadership that any Australian would describe or want some leader to be. One quality of leadership that Australians would want in somebody who claims to be an alternative prime minister of this country is trust. They'd want to know they were voting for someone who they could trust, someone who tells the truth and someone who is upfront. When it comes to that, the Leader of the Opposition has got a little bit of work to do. This is the Leader of the Opposition who, in 2022, when he was the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, because of his incompetence and because of how badly he had stewarded the nation's energy system, left energy prices rising by more than 10 per cent. Instead of being upfront about his failures, telling the truth to the Australian people about the energy bill shock he was about to inflict on them. Instead of being transparent on 7 April 2022, he amended regulations so that that offer would not be released until after the election. Can you believe it? The energy minister of Australia, on one of the most important issues in his portfolio, immediately before an election, chooses to conceal this information from the Australian people. This man was a minister of the Crown, a man who puts the 'horrific' in 'honorific' and someone who doesn't deserve to hold that role if he can't even be honest about the basic facts in his own portfolio. Even worse, friends, when he was caught out for this action, when it was revealed that he had hidden this information from the Australian people, instead of being upfront about it, instead of admitting that he'd messed up, that he'd withheld this information from the Australian people, he tried to obfuscate. On 26 October 2022, the Leader of the Opposition was asked if he knew before the election that prices would rise, and he replied, 'No, I didn't.' Then, he told Sky News that the price rise notice was something from the AER, the Australian Energy Regulator, 'It puts it out,' he said, 'not me; it's nothing to do with me. I didn't see it.' Well, this wasn't entirely accurate, friends. On 1 November, just a few months later, he finally fessed up. Better late than never. He was asked a direct question, 'Did you sign the regulation delaying the notification of the price rise?' in the National Press Club. He finally gave the truth, 'I did,' said the current leader of the opposition. Honesty is an essential element of leadership. Trust in Australia's leaders is an important quality. Integrity is essential to what Australians want in their political leaders, and, consistently, time and time again, the Leader of the Opposition has failed to deliver that honesty, failed to deliver that integrity and failed to gain the trust of the Australian people. Not only does this Leader of the Opposition lack trust and integrity but he also lacks conviction. This is a man who rose to become the leader of the Liberal Party on the basis of his great crusade to get rid of net zero. That's what he's passionate about. That's what he believes in. When you peel back the onion, right at its core is opposition to net zero. He's a conviction politician. Those convictions have come recently. In 2020, this is what the current leader of the opposition said: We are obviously committed to global net zero, that's in the Paris Agreement, we absolutely share that commitment … many times we— have said— we want to get there as soon as possible. The person who's claim to the Liberal leadership was his passionate conviction about net zero has only had that conviction for a few years. A few years ago, he was talking up his own trajectory towards that same goal. You couldn't make it up—an energy minister who pursues net zero then dumps it when political expediency suits him and he wants to tear down the leader in front of him, an energy minister who conceals from the Australian people the most important information about their energy price rises, someone who not only conceals it but then misleads the Australian people in relation to that information, and someone who had 22 energy policies during his time as energy minister and didn't stick a single one of them. This is a person who has been in parliament for a long time with very limited achievements. He's good at coming up with new policies, much less good at delivering them. The only good quality of the Leader of the Opposition is that, I have to say, he does support his colleagues, and this is an important quality of leadership, friends. You want a leader who's slow to criticise and quick to praise. Good leaders are there with encouragement. They recognise colleagues when they do the right thing, and this is something that the Leader of the Opposition certainly has done. In 2019, when more than a thousand new carparking spaces for commuters were delivered at Campbelltown Station, the Leader of the Opposition was there with a positive, encouraging word on that achievement. He jumped straight on to Facebook: 'Fantastic. Great move. Well done, Angus.' 15:31 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein I enjoyed the audition from the assistant minister for the Treasurer's job. The Albanese government has an economic model. It is to stoke inflation then tax the inflation. What we have now, with this government, is a complete failure of leadership about the type of country we should want to be, where we want to go and what we need to build for a more confident Australia for the next generation. No-one is under any illusion that we aren't in difficult international circumstances. Poor nations are weak nations. We need to be bold, we need to be confident, and we need to be strong as a country. That happens when we are prosperous, and Australian families, communities and small business are strong. When Australian families, small business and communities are weak, we have the foundations of a weaker nation. What we're not getting right now is the leadership we desperately need to confront this crisis. We've witnessed it in this chamber, where we've had the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, who's come in here—and it was only less than a month ago—and said, 'There is no supply crisis for fuel.' Everyone on the opposition benches was, allegedly, making it all up. He couldn't see the reality of the risk to supply chains, that when oil stopped being dug out of the ground in the Middle East and refined then, eventually, that might lead into what comes out of the bowser. He said that there were no supply problems. Within three days, he was back in the chamber in a humiliating backdown, having to acknowledge that there was now a national crisis. Now, every day, he comes into this chamber and has to explain to the Australian people just how many petrol stations are running out of petrol and running out of diesel. It is the economic model of the Albanese government. There is plenty of fuel for inflation, just not for farmers and families. They stoke inflation in the economy and then they tax the inflation and push Australian standards of living backwards. Inflation continues to outstrip wages, and Australian standards of living are going backwards. They have no answers to these problems, whether it is the Prime Minister, the Treasurer or the energy minister, in an environment of what they have now dubbed a crisis. We have inflation raging, and their only answer is how they keep pouring debt petrol on the inflation fire, and Australian standards of living are declining in the process. What we need now is real leadership. We don't need the dithering. We don't need the appointment of commissars, tsars or statutory officers so that, in only a few months' time, when the full consequences of the Prime Minister's leadership or the absence of his leadership are revealed, they have somebody to sack. The Australian people voted for this government, in disproportionate numbers of seats, to stand up and steward the nation at a difficult time. But we have seen none of that—and we shouldn't be surprised, because the pattern since the election has been that, when there are difficult times ahead and when there are difficult circumstances to confront, the Prime Minister scurries out of this chamber and the Treasurer scurries out of this chamber as quickly as possible. If a difficult question is asked, their only answer is bluster and attack of the opposition, not responsibility and leadership. We've seen that just in the context of the ongoing problem, the one they refuse to acknowledge, which is $15 billion of public money being handed to organised crime through the CFMEU-Labor cartel. If a prime minister won't take an audit of or be accountable for that public money and won't show the basic test of leadership—which is that public money shouldn't go to organised crime. Public money shouldn't go to organised crime. When you don't have that basic test of leadership under this prime minister, how can the Australian people have confidence in any other measure that they are going to take by turning a blind eye, wilful ignorance or complete disinterest? As we head to Easter, there are so many families who are already looking at the cost of Easter eggs, the cost of groceries, the cost of a simple holiday—we're not talking about lavish ones. We're talking about going to a caravan park. They're saying, 'Can we afford it this Easter, and will we even be in a position to afford it next Easter?' The Australian people are living with the failure of leadership by this prime minister, and they are, sadly, going to live with it for much time to come. (Time expired) 15:36 Ms JARRETT 298574 Brisbane For those opposite to raise a matter of public importance about national leadership is delusional, in my opinion. So what is delusional leadership? Dare I put those two words together? It's a dangerous style where leaders lose touch with reality, ignore the feedback and the evidence—some of which we just heard from the member for Goldstein—and it often leads to poor outcomes. For those opposite, the last 10 years have been an ongoing shambles of delusional leadership. But let's define what a good leader is. I'll build on the previous speaker, the minister. A good leader inspires, empowers, guides and guides a team towards a shared vision while acting with integrity and empathy, and that's exactly what our prime minister does. We know Australians are doing it tough at the moment, and our government is leading and our prime minister is leading. We're listening to the Australian people and we're acting. Our No. 1 priority at the moment is to address the cost of living. So let's go through it. We've delivered a tax cut for 14 million Australian taxpayers. That's leadership. We're making medicines cheaper. That's leadership. We're helping Australians see a GP for free and get health care closer to home. That's leadership. We're wiping 20 per cent off student debt. That's leadership. We're delivering energy bill relief for households and businesses. That's leadership. We've delivered more choice and lower cost and better health care for women. That's leadership. We've delivered the three-day childcare guarantee. That's leadership. We're delivering fee-free TAFE to students across the country. That's leadership. We expanded five per cent deposits to all first home buyers. That's leadership. We're implementing the biggest home build in Australia's history. That's leadership. We are investing in more crisis and transitional accommodation, ensuring vulnerable Australians have a roof over their heads. That's leadership. We've delivered pay rises for workers in the care sector and for millions of low-paid workers. That's leadership. We're rolling out cheaper home batteries to help lower power bills across the country. That's leadership. We're cracking down on supermarket price gouging, as well as petrol stations that are using the current war to rip people off. That's leadership. We've seen global uncertainty really test leaders around the world, whether it's been the war in the Middle East or the war in Ukraine. Some of our traditional international agreements are really being challenged. So national leadership is not just about looking after people at home; it's about protecting our national interests abroad. Leadership is critical in these types of uncertain and turbulent times. Leaders need to be steady and reliable and be prepared to make tough decisions in the best interests of our community and our nation. Since Labor came to power, Australia and our world more broadly have been rocked by climate events, the war in Ukraine, the rise of extremism, significant shifts in global security and trade, and, more recently, the war in the Middle East. It takes leadership to act quickly and decisively to ensure that the risks to Australians during these times are limited, and to lead with calmness in a way that unites, not divides, the cultures that are the strength of our country. In these circumstances, the Albanese government has stepped up: improved energy security through the relentless pursuit of renewable energy; implemented tougher hate laws, new trade deals and security agreements with the EU and Canada; developed stronger relationships with our Indo-Pacific neighbours; and implemented our Future Made in Australia program to protect our sovereignty. The Albanese leadership is grand. It's in stark contrast to the leadership from the other side. Their history is indicative of a complete lack of a shared vision, empowerment, responsibility, integrity and empathy. Think Tony Abbott. Think of how he spoke about our first female prime minister. Think Peter Dutton, who almost destroyed our national healthcare system. Think Scott Morrison, who said, 'I don't hold a hose, mate.' And lucky you weren't met with bullets when he was speaking about a rally full of women—the man who hid his multiple ministries from the Australian people, the man who presided over robodebt, which caused harm to so many vulnerable Australians, and the man who failed to protect a young staffer from harm. Those opposite used their first female leader in order to line up the next leader: the member for Hume. It's been a revolving door of failed leadership from those opposite. While those opposite continue to try to figure out what leadership is and who their leader should be, on this side of the House we've got steady leadership, and we will continue to deliver for all Australians. (Time expired) 15:41 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay What is national leadership? It certainly isn't what the member opposite was just prescribing to this House. Is it the courage to confront a crisis before it becomes a catastrophe—what we're seeing right now? Is it the responsibility to act when families are breaking under pressures they did not create? Is it the willingness to see that Australians are barely holding on by their fingertips? Yes, that is leadership. Do you know what isn't leadership? It isn't saying, 'Fuel supply remains strong,' as the minister for energy, Chris Bowen, has said, while Australians are pulling into servos to find empty pumps. It isn't insisting that Australia's fuel supply is secure while families are driving from suburb to suburb just to find petrol. And it isn't telling parliament we are a long way from a fuel emergency when, for many Australians, that emergency has arrived. Right now, across Australia, families are asking, 'Where is the leadership we were promised?' Parents are skipping meals so children don't have to. Workers are juggling two or three jobs and still falling behind. Families who once donated to food drives are now relying on them. Worried children are wondering whether their parents can keep a roof over their heads. This is not abstract. This is not theoretical. This is real. This is a lived reality that Australians are facing every single day. Across Australia, petrol is pushing well above $2.50 a litre and diesel even higher. But in some suburbs the price isn't even the worst part. Drivers are pulling into servos to find empty bowsers, taped-off pumps, handwritten notes apologising for shortages. Behaviour is shifting. People are driving less, going out, less seeing family and friends less. Confidence is tightening. The national mood is under strain. These are people like Adam, who relies on petrol for workshop work and diesel to keep his delivery vehicles moving. If fuel rationing comes in, it won't just hurt; it will directly affect his ability to operate and serve his customers. And they are people like Carol from Glenmore Park, who told me: 'We are receiving emails from suppliers adding an extra 3½ per cent to cover their diesel. Our own diesel bill has also doubled, so it's a double whammy.' These are not outliers. These are not the exceptions. This is the lived reality of Australians right now. This is where the pressure shifts from costs to something deeper. When the cost of fuel rises, life begins to contract. For many Australians, especially in Western Sydney, there is no alternative. Nearly half of people rely on a private vehicle to get to work. A car is not a convenience; it is a necessity. That means that when transport costs rise too far, too fast, families are pushed into what experts are calling 'transport poverty'—spending more than 10 per cent of their income just to move through daily life. When that happens, the consequences ripple outward: longer commutes, less-reliable access to work, greater risk of job instability. Opportunities narrow. Pressure builds. So I ask again: what is national leadership? Is it watching mortgage stress climb to levels we have not seen in decades, where families are cutting back just to afford the basics, including getting to work? Is it watching families fall into food insecurity in one of the wealthiest nations on earth while the cost of simply moving through daily life keeps rising? Is it watching parents choose between groceries and petrol, rent and medical bills and putting food on the table? No. No, that is not leadership. Leadership is about stepping into the storm we're facing now and saying, 'We will not let Australians face this alone.' Leadership is recognising that, when 3.7 million Australians, including 750,000 children, are living below the poverty line, this is not a tight month but a national emergency; leadership is understanding that, when people are cutting back not on luxuries but on movement, connection and opportunity, something deeper is going on; and leadership is acting with urgency equal to the scale of the crisis. When we are in a crisis, we feel powerless because the government isn't showing leadership. We can choose to act. We can choose to lead. The government's just not doing it. National leadership is not measured by how loudly you speak at the dispatch box, with all your theatrics, to push away the reality of the crisis. It is measured by how firmly you stand when families are breaking, and right now Australia needs leadership that understands not just what things cost but what those costs are doing to people's lives. 15:46 Ms AMBIHAIPAHAR 315618 Barton They want to talk about leadership. It's leadership time! This Labor government is a team—the Prime Minister, our ministers, we backbenchers. We work together as one because we know unity delivers the best outcomes for our electorates and our country. My role in the team is to be on the ground. I doorknock, I phonebank and I meet with local constituents. I make myself quite available, and I can say the same for all of us on this side of the chamber. Because of this, we know about the pressure on families right now, and the pressure is real. Families are stretched. Costs are up. People are worried, and they expect us to act quickly and together. We recognise that and we take it very seriously. I welcome the coalition's words earlier today about working together. But do they actually mean it? Because when it came to dealing with those measures, they did not want to engage with the Fair Work amendments. These are practical changes that would support our trucking industries right now. Instead, we saw the member for Goldstein turn to another story about the union conspiracies. Now, that does not help a single family fill up their car, it does not help a single truckie keep their business going and it does not bring prices down. If the coalition is serious about helping Australians, then this is the work in front of us. On the very day of this conflict, when it began, fuel retailers put their prices up. They saw the news cycle. They saw the fear building. They knew Australians would be worried and they took advantage of it. This is predatory. It is companies exploiting anxiety to boost their profits with no thought to how it will make this crisis worse for families getting ready for Easter. But we also have to be honest about what we are seeing in the community. We've not learnt from the 'toilet paper gate' during the pandemic. People are filling up when they don't need to, bringing jerry cans and buying more than what they need, not thinking about the person next to them. That behaviour drives demand higher and pushes prices up even further. At moments like this, we have a choice in how we behave. We can panic, we can treat it like it's every other person for themselves or we can choose something better. The kindest thing you can do right now is to look out for your neighbour. Make sure there is enough for everyone. Act with care, act with restraint—because we are a kind and united country at its core. That is who we are, and we can choose to act that way when it matters most. This whole parliament should be demonstrating that kind of behaviour. That is leadership, and this government has done that consistently through the cost-of-living relief—$25 medicines on the PBS; paid parental leave expanded to 24 weeks; another pay rise for 2.7 million Aussie workers backed in today; paid pracs for nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery students; 30 per cent off home batteries to permanently cut down power bills; expanded bulk-billing; and another pay rise to aged-care nurses following the first instalment in March. One million households are benefiting from back-to-back increases to rent assistance, 1.1 million Australians are benefiting from higher social security payments, and we're delivering tax relief to every single taxpayer, with round 2 coming this year and round 3 coming the year after. They want to talk about leadership? The Liberal Party's on its second leader this term, has had mass resignations, is yet to produce actual clear policy positions and actually stick to them, and is being dragged around by another party whose only ideas are to divide the people of this country based on where they come from or ban Australians who happen to have my colour of skin. All constituents expect better. Instead of calming the situation, those opposite have made it worse by claiming there is a supply shortage. There is not. Not a single shipment of fuel has been delayed. In fact, we have acted. We've released 20 per cent of our minimum fuel reserves; we've amended fuel standards to increase supply; we've empowered the ACCC to improve distribution, especially into the regional areas; and we're working with international partners to maintain supply. We are using every lever available to keep fuel flowing and ease pressure on prices, and we introduced our Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 to back in our truckies and crack down on price gouging. That's what leadership looks like. 15:51 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina This matter of public importance debate is on 'the government's failure to provide national leadership', moved by the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Hume. Never has there been a time to look at leadership more than right now. In question time today, the Prime Minister used the word 'overprepared'. We're certainly not overprepared when it comes to the national fuel crisis. We heard the Minister for Climate Change and Energy say, on Monday, 'I'm done,' and he certainly is when he outsources his work—his job—to Anthea Harris, who, at the moment, is doing the review into the Water Act. Now, she's also been tasked with the Fuel Supply Taskforce coordinator role, which should be something that the minister does himself. Now, all politics is local—we all know that. When you look at the E10 and diesel prices in the Riverina electorate, it's terrible, awful reading. At Coolamon, E10 is 274.9c and diesel is 330.9c a litre. But you go through them. Cootamundra is 262.9 and 328.9; Cowra is 259.9 and 319.9; Crookwell is 263.9 and 314.9; Grenfell is 259.9 and 327.9; Gundagai is 252.9 and 315.9; Junee is 259.9 and 313.9; Lockhart is 264.9 and 314.9; Temora is 260.9 and 316.9; Tumbarumba is 266.7 and 324.7; Tumut is 254.9 and 320.9; Wagga Wagga—a big city, the largest inland city in New South Wales—is 247.9 and 313.9; Yass is 246.9 and 312.9; and Young is 247.9 and 305.9. They're figures that are too high, and that's if you can actually fill your tank. And it's sowing season. Our farmers are out there about to scarify their paddocks, direct drill, and get ready for sowing. Indeed, come harvest time, if they haven't planted, it's going to be a food security disaster—if it isn't already. Consider this: the setting is a collapsing Australia, plagued by fuel shortages; one of humankind's most precious resources, oil, has been depleted; the world has been plunged into war, famine and financial chaos; the countryside is losing its way; what little water there is, people are fighting over; food security is almost non-existent because you cannot grow food without fertiliser, fuel or water; and the government is nowhere to be seen. Am I reading the plot for the 1979 blockbuster Mad Max? Sadly, no. I'm not. This is Australia in March 2026. I'm not over-egging it. I'm not being melodramatic. I'm not hamming it up. This is the truth. People are getting out of control. There's petrol hoarding, panic buying, fuel theft, abuse being slung at servos and empty bowsers across the regions. I've just read you the prices of fuel. It's not a low-budget dystopian action film; it's the here and now, right now, tragically. Why won't the Treasurer provide some relief at the bowser by cutting the fuel excise or increasing the fuel tax credit? There are actions that can be done, that should be done, that must be done—but they're not being done. Farmers and trucking companies are copping it in the neck. Why won't the Prime Minister pull the levers available to him to help the situation? He'll say, 'Well, I am,' but it's not happening. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, just do something—anything. Minister for Climate Change and Energy, we need real action and we need it now. What I was reading sounded like Mad Max, and it was Mad Max, but it's also 'Mad Australia' in 2026, and it's happening right now. Central casting need look no further than the government frontbench to find its characters for the 2026 version of Mad Max. But, I ask, who will play the central roles of Jim Goose, Grease Rat, Clunk and Grinner? We know who they will be. 15:56 Mr DAVID SMITH 276714 Bean I hope the Mad Max reference wasn't to any of the members of this House with the prefix 'Mc' to their names. I have due respect for all those members! This evening I'm looking forward to attending the routine by acclaimed Canadian mime artist Joylyn Secunda down at the Tuggeranong Performing Arts Centre in my electorate. It's been described as 'Death of a Salesman meets Mr Bean'. What I know for certain, though, is it will be more impressive than the routine we have witnessed across the aisle today. It is crucial in times of uncertainty that this House comes together and acts, and the Albanese Labor government is doing just that. The recent conflict in the Middle East has compounded uncertainty in the global economy and led to significant volatility in oil and petrol prices. We're not immune from that uncertainty and volatility across the global economy, and that's why our priority remains addressing inflation, productivity and that global uncertainty. Our work on fairer petrol prices and stronger supply chains is an important part of these efforts. Legislation passed through this House earlier today that will help consumers get a fair go at the petrol pump—with bigger penalties for misconduct, including for the fuel sector. Nobody—no organisation, no sector, no member of this parliament—should be using such volatile circumstances to profit off Australians. That's not in the spirit of this country and it cannot be permitted to occur. That is why we are putting petrol companies on notice. It's time for the Liberals and Nationals to put their money where their mouth is, and, for a change, stand with the Australian people instead of standing divided against them. They may love to come into this place and grandstand, and make grand speeches to clip for their socials and websites, but, when it comes to making a difference for their communities, they are missing in action. Every opportunity they have had to support cost-of-living relief, they have opposed. I remind people in this House that often the best way to determine future behaviour is remembering the words that people have used in the past. Here's a bit of a game for the House late on a Thursday. Who was it that derided work-from-home arrangements as 'professional apartheid'? That'd be the shadow Treasurer. Who criticised better wages for frontline workers, including aged-care workers and early childhood educators, as 'borrowing from future generations'? That would be the shadow Treasurer. Who railed against paid parental leave, labelling it as 'a very bad scheme' and saying, 'It's not my choice that women have children, it's not; it's genetic'? That would be the shadow Treasurer. Who advocated replacing the progressive income tax system with a flat tax and broadening and doubling the GST to 20 per cent—in his words: We must stop fiddling at the margins. … we have to move towards a simpler 20 per cent flat personal, company and consumption tax … That would be the shadow Treasurer. It's getting a bit easy! Who championed the privatisation of Medicare so there could be a transfer of the health financing burden, shifted from government to individuals? That would be the shadow Treasurer. Who criticised the Rudd Labor government's stimulus during the global financial crisis as a shameful act that did more harm than good? Who has consistently criticised low interest rates, claiming that 'nobody wins from low interest rates'? That's a message many people across my electorate would love to hear. Who advocated repealing the right to disconnect? That would be the shadow Treasurer. Who argued that Australia is no longer able to make things? In his own words: The days of Australia being an island continent producing finished goods for domestic consumption are over. You would have thought that maybe it's a description of the approach of the coalition to oil refineries in this country over the last decade. What we know is that leadership isn't about the one to yell the loudest in the room, and I am proud to be able to stand on this side of the chamber—which is actually taking action, displaying clear leadership and supporting Australians right across the community. It's time for those opposite to do the same. 16:04 Mr VIOLI 300147 Casey Right now, we really need to understand that there are two challenges the Australian people are facing. Obviously, there's the fuel crisis—getting fuel, particularly diesel, and the impacts on price. But we shouldn't forget that Australians were paying the price and struggling before this with inflation at 3.8 per cent and two increases in the interest rates. The question about leadership is about understanding that you can't control events, but it's what you do to prepare for them and how you handle them. Let's understand that this crisis, this conflict in the Middle East, didn't operate in a vacuum. This started on 7 October 2023. There was conflict in the Middle East. It escalated last year when Iran was impacted directly by Israel and the US. There were warning signs that this would happen. Every military expert in the world will tell you that, in the last six to eight weeks before the conflict started, there was a significant shift in military assets from the United States into the area. Experts knew this was coming. This government had two and a half years to prepare for this by bringing fuel stocks forward and getting the numbers up significantly. They did not do that. Preparation can happen over two and a half years to mitigate some of the pain. The other thing that this government could have done is focus on bringing inflation sustainably into the band to give the Australian people and the RBA some buffer so the RBA wouldn't need to raise rates. But, for over 3½ years, the Prime Minister and the Treasurer focused on treating the symptoms of the economic challenges, not the causes. So many on this side, including me, spoke over this time about the folly of looking at the symptoms and not the causes, because, when you treat the symptoms for a couple of years, you take away a little bit of pain but you make the pain worse when you can no longer deliver the medicine. That is what we are seeing with this government. They gave temporary relief, but they didn't address productivity. Productivity is continuing to be in freefall under this government, and this government has not delivered. I want to look at the member for Parramatta. He was talking about trust. Let's talk about trust in leadership from the Prime Minister. Ninety-seven times before the 2022 election, the Prime Minister promised the Australian people that he would reduce power bills by $275. He said: I don't think; I know. I've done the modelling. No Australian got that reduction. In fact, their price went up by double digits. The member for Deakin let the cat out of the bag when he interjected last year and said: That line worked for three years. That sums it up from this government. When we talk about trust, this prime minister also said, before he was elected: 'My word is my bond. I will not change the tax system. I will not change the superannuation system.' Two weeks ago, this prime minister changed the superannuation system in this country, breaking his word to the Australian people. The member for Parramatta talks about trust; I hope he stands up in caucus or in cabinet and calls out the Prime Minister for breaking the trust of the Australian people. The test now for the member for Parramatta—who is so concerned about trust in leadership—and for all those opposite is the next budget, because the Prime Minister said, 'My word is my bond,' before the last election. He promised the Australian people that there would be no changes to the tax system, no changes to negative gearing and no changes to capital gains. That was the Prime Minister's word before the last election. Well, let's watch the budget. If there are any changes to those two taxes, then, by the member for Parramatta's own standard, which he set today, this prime minister is not fit to lead this country. That is the test that the member for Parramatta has set for his own leader, because he said that leaders need to have trust. If you break your promise, your bond to the Australian people, you are breaking trust with the Australian people and you are not a leader. Let's find out in the next three weeks where this prime minister stands, because he's abandoned the Australian people. (Time expired) The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 Excuse me, Member for Petrie. I'm trying to give the member for Spence the call. The member for Spence. 16:06 Mr BURNELL 300129 Spence When I saw today's MPI, I honestly found it quite funny that the Leader of the Opposition would pose a question about providing national leadership. So I did something simple. I googled, 'What makes a good leader?': A good leader inspires, empowers, and guides a team toward a shared vision while acting with integrity and empathy. The member for Riverina might like to stay to listen to this: Essential qualities include clear communication, decisiveness, resilience, and the ability to build, mentor, and trust their team to succeed. They lead by example, are self-aware, and prioritize continuous learning. I'll give the Leader of the Opposition this: he has certainly inspired, empowered and guided his mates towards a shared vision of sitting on that frontbench together, no matter who is in their way. When it comes to integrity and empathy, Australians have long memories. How much integrity and empathy were shown to the Hon. Sussan Ley, the first female leader of the Liberal Party, when she was knifed in the back? When it comes to communication, what we hear from those opposite is plenty of noise but very few solutions to the issues—slogans without substance, week in and week out. When it comes to decisiveness, we see hesitation, we see backflips and we see a party that cannot settle on what it actually stands for, as we saw just this morning in this chamber. On resilience, a resilient team or coalition does not fracture the moment pressure is applied. Yet, time and again, that is exactly what we see from those opposite. On building, trusting and mentoring a team and backing your colleagues, the revolving door on that frontbench tells its very own story. Leadership is not about who you stand next to when it's convenient; it's about who you stand by when it's difficult. And times are difficult; let's make no mistake. We do have a great leader in the Prime Minister. If we really want to talk about national leadership, then let's talk about what it actually looks like in practice. Cutting student debt by 20 per cent, delivering relief to more than 19,000 people across my electorate of Spence—that is good leadership. It looks like strengthening Medicare. Opening an additional 50 urgent care clinics so Australians can walk in, get treated and not have to worry about the bill, with nearly two million Australians benefiting, is good leadership. It looks like backing first home buyers, giving them the chance to enter the market with a five per cent deposit. That is good leadership. Easing pressure on energy bills with 30 per cent off home batteries and helping households take control of their costs while we build a more sustainable and connected energy future—that's good leadership. It looks like investing in skills, in workers and in the future of this country, with free TAFE, opening doors for hundreds of thousands of Australians, and with up to $10,000 in support for housing apprenticeships, because, if you want to build more homes, you need more tradies to do it. It looks like backing families, expanding paid parental leave to 24 weeks with super, lifting wages and delivering cheaper child care, including a three-day guarantee, which families in Spence are already calling life changing. That is what good leadership looks like. It is about making decisions that improve people's lives, even when those decisions are not easy. It's about governing with purpose, not just opposing for the sake of it. When I look at this government, since it came to office, I see consistency, discipline and a clear focus on everyday Australians. I see colleagues in this House and in the other place who are out there in their communities, listening, engaging and delivering—not chasing headlines or internal power struggles but getting on with the job they were elected to do. Leadership is about responsibility. It is about outcomes, and it's about who you choose to stand with when it matters most. On this side of the House, we choose to stand with Australians. We choose getting on with the job and delivering for communities like mine, while those opposite are still fighting. They've got no sense of direction. They are like a ship with a broken rudder—stuck going around in circles and getting nowhere. On this side of the House, we are focused on leading for everyday Australians to ensure that tomorrow is better. I thank the House. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 248181 The time for this discussion has concluded. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS 67 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: ADDITIONAL ANSWERS Fuel 67 16:11 Mr BOWEN DZS McMahon I wish to add to an answer. In question time today, in relation to service stations in Victoria, I said there were 45 stations with no diesel and 72 stations with no unleaded. It was, in fact, the other way around; I misread it. There are 72 with no diesel and 45 with no unleaded. I just wanted to make sure that the House was clear. BILLS 68 BILLS Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026 68

Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026

Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025-2026

Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026

Returned from Senate 68 Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025 68

Housing Australia Amendment (Accountability) Bill 2025

First Reading 68 High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026 68

High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026

Second Reading 68 16:13 Mr JOSH WILSON 265970 Fremantle I present a revised explanatory memorandum to this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. Australia is an island nation, a maritime nation, with the ocean wrapped around our national identity in a sustaining and defining embrace. First Nations people have a profound and enduring connection with sea country, which is central to cultural and spiritual identity, social and economic life, and wellbeing. The ocean is critical to our economic prosperity and health. It connects us with our region and the rest of the world. In June 2023, the United Nations adopted the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the high seas biodiversity treaty. The treaty provides greater environmental protection for the ocean by providing a global framework for protecting and sustainably using marine biodiversity outside our maritime borders—that is, the high seas and the seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. Around 60 per cent of the global ocean is beyond national jurisdiction, but only around one per cent is currently protected. The treaty will complement existing international and regional instruments, frameworks, and bodies. It will enhance cooperation between parties as well as between the existing global and regional ocean governance regimes and will play a critical role in achieving the global target to protect 30 per cent of the world's marine areas by 2030. The treaty will also complement Australia's own domestic and regional practices in sustainable ocean management and protection. More than half of Australia's maritime jurisdiction is now protected in marine parks. That includes about a quarter of our marine estate—2.2 million square kilometres—in highly protected areas. At last year's United Nations Ocean Conference Australia went further, committing to work towards lifting that to 30 per cent highly protected by the year 2030. Australia was proud to sign the high seas biodiversity treaty on 20 September 2023, the day it opened for signature, after playing an active role in its inception and development over two decades. Today I am proud to introduce the High Seas Biodiversity Bill. This implementing legislation will enable us to ratify the treaty, noting that the treaty entered into force on 17 January this year. In 2024, the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties recommended that Australia take binding treaty action and become a party to the high seas biodiversity treaty. This bill creates a new regulatory regime to implement into Australian law relevant obligations under the treaty, relating to marine genetic resources and digital sequence information; area based management tools, such as marine protected areas; and environmental impact assessments. Marine genetic resources and digital sequence information Part 2 of the bill establishes oversight for the collection and utilisation of marine genetic resources from areas beyond national jurisdiction and related digital sequence information. The bill implements a notification based regime requiring certain persons to provide information on the collection and utilisation of marine genetic resources and digital sequence information. This information will later be provided to the clearing-house mechanism, an open access platform managed by the secretariat under the agreement. The bill also imposes reporting and record-keeping requirements on relevant repositories and databases and will provide for an online register to receive required information, enable public access and promote transparency. The register will be operated by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Area based management tools, such as marine protected areas Part 3 of the bill creates a framework for Australia to recognise and declare area based management tools, such as marine protected areas, and their associated management plans, established by the treaty's Conference of the Parties, and for Australians to comply with them. The government is preparing for the first generation of high seas marine protected area proposals, as contemplated by the treaty. Work is underway to lay the groundwork for Australia to lead and support others on such proposals, including gathering the underpinning science and data and engaging with stakeholders. Environmental impact assessments Part 4 of this bill will put in place an environmental impact assessment process to manage the risk of harm to the marine environment in areas beyond national jurisdiction from planned activities by Australian entities. It also implements obligations with respect to planned activities within Australia's jurisdiction that may have significant impacts on the marine environment in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The purpose of part 4 is to ensure that the potential impacts of such activities are assessed in accordance with the treaty, before the minister makes a decision on whether to authorise the activity. Closing remarks To secure the health and resilience of the high seas and all other areas beyond national jurisdiction, we must cooperate and coordinate with other countries and act to implement relevant provisions of UNCLOS. Ratifying the high seas biodiversity treaty demonstrates Australia's commitment to international law and the multilateral system more generally. The Albanese government is committed to working with key partners in our region and beyond to safeguard the health of our shared ocean domain—which must be protected for its own sake and for the sake of environmental conditions and marine biodiversity on its own terms—and to support a sustainable blue economy for future generations. In the first term of the Albanese government, Australia delivered the largest act of global marine protection in calendar year 2023 by strengthening the Macquarie Island Marine Park, and then we delivered the largest act of global marine protection in calendar year 2024 by strengthening the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve. As a result of those key improvements to the national network of marine protected areas that was designed by the Gillard Labor government, Australia now protects more than 4.6 million square kilometres, or 52 per cent, of Australia's ocean. Twenty-four per cent of our ocean is under a high level of protection in no-take zones, and we are working towards protecting 30 per cent by 2030. As a nation whose character and wellbeing is deeply sustained by the ocean, our focus and active support for the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty is what the Australian community rightly expects. 16:20 Ms BELL 282981 Moncrieff I rise today to speak on the High Seas Biodiversity Bill and to outline the coalition's position on this important legislation. The coalition supports this bill. It's necessary legislation and it's legislation that will finally put in place the high seas treaty negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations, a treaty that has been a long time in the making and one that, frankly, has been unnecessarily delayed by the current government. This is not a new conversation. This is not a new issue. Under the previous coalition government, Australia played a constructive and engaged role in the international negotiations that led to this treaty. We understood what was at stake, not just environmentally but economically and strategically. Critically, those negotiations ensure that Australia's exclusive economic zone, also known as the EEZ—one of the largest in the world; in fact, the third largest—was properly recognised in international law. That matters. It matters because our EEZ underpins our sovereign rights over vast marine resources, it matters because it allows us to manage those resources sustainably and it matters because it ensures that Australia retains control over how we protect and utilise our marine environment. As a nation, we have benefited enormously from that outcome. We have benefited in environmental terms through strong protections and careful stewardship of our oceans, and we have benefited economically through the responsible management of fisheries, energy resources and emerging marine industries. The negotiations that delivered this treaty did not happen overnight. They were complex, they were detailed and they were led in large part under the previous coalition government right up until 2023. The current government became a signatory to the treaty in 2024, yet here we are two years later only now dealing with ratification—two years! What has the government been doing for the last two years? Not much it seems, because in that time more than 80 countries—around 85 in fact—have already ratified the treaty. So again, I ask: why the delay? Our government that says it can walk and chew gum at the same time; it seems it can't. Why has Australia fallen behind when it comes to formalising an agreement that we helped shape? This process, as I outlined, started under the coalition. There was no progress and then, all of a sudden, there was this urgency to get it done. Our understanding is that this sudden urgency was not driven by domestic priorities but by international optics, because of the first ever Ocean COP slated for late 2026 and the government seeking to save face on the global stage, no doubt. It's disappointing because the parliament should not be driven by appearances; it should be driven by outcomes. It's especially disappointing given that the coalition has offered bipartisan support for this legislation throughout the process. We've been clear, we've been consistent and we've been constructive. We recognise the importance of this treaty and we recognise the importance of getting the implementation right. This bill does more than simply ratify an international agreement. It seeks to establish new regulatory frameworks to give effect to the treaty's provisions, particularly in areas such as marine genetic resources and digital sequence information, area based management tools and environmental impact assessments. These are complex and evolving areas. Marine genetic resources, for example, represent a growing field of scientific and commercial interests. They have the potential to unlock new medicines, new technologies and new economic opportunities. But with that potential comes responsibility—responsibility to ensure that access is fair, responsibility to ensure that benefits are shared appropriately and responsibility to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of environmental integrity. Similarly, area based management tools and environmental impact assessments are critical mechanisms for protecting biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The coalition supports these objectives, but we are equally clear on this point: implementation must be practical, efficient and coherent. These new rules should complement existing global and regional frameworks, not duplicate them. We already have a range of international agreements and regional bodies governing ocean management. The last thing we need is a patchwork of overlapping regulations that create confusion, increase costs and undermine effectiveness. Good policy is not just about ambition; it is about execution. The government has also pointed to the global target of protecting 30 per cent of the world's marine areas by 2030. On its face, it's a noble ambition, and the coalition recognises the importance of protecting marine biodiversity. But we also recognise a pattern from this government—a pattern of announcing big targets without credible plans to deliver them. We've seen it in housing, where the government's target of 1.2 million homes is already falling short. We've seen it in other policy areas, where rhetoric has outpaced reality. So, when it comes to this 30 per cent marine protection target, the question is not whether it sounds good. There are several questions that remain: How will it be achieved? What are the practical steps? What are the timelines? What are the impacts on industries and regional communities and on Australia's economic interests? These are not unreasonable questions; they are necessary questions. At this stage the detail remains unclear. We understand that some of the government's plans to meet this target are currently under review. We welcome that review and we look forward to seeing the detail of that review because, if this target is to be meaningful, it must be backed by a clear, credible and achievable plan. In closing, the coalition supports this bill. We support it because it gives effect to a treaty that Australia helped negotiate. We support it because it provides a framework for protecting biodiversity in the high seas, and we support it because it aligns with Australia's longstanding commitment to responsible ocean stewardship, but that does not mean a blank cheque. We will continue to scrutinise the implementation of this treaty. We will continue to advocate for practical, efficient and effective regulation and will continue to hold the government to account for delays, for lack of detail and for any failure to deliver on its commitments. Australia has a proud record when it comes to managing our oceans. That record was strengthened under the coalition, and we intend to ensure that it's not diminished under this government. 16:26 Ms CAMPBELL 312823 Moreton I've got a quick question for you: What covers 3.8 million square kilometres? Or, in another way of putting it, what covers 52 per cent of Australian waters? The answer is, of course, the network of Australian marine parks. This network includes parts of the Coral Sea off Queensland's coast, the waters around Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean, the Murray Marine Park off South Australia and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean—and so many more. I was raised by a marine biologist. In practical terms, what that meant was that not only was this my dad's area of study; the bottom floor of our house was filled with tanks with all sorts of different marine animals in them. It's a scary prospect when you're a little kid, but what we came to know in our household as we were older was that protecting marine life is incredibly important. Protecting marine areas and ensuring sustainable management of the fishing industry is a priority for this Albanese Labor government too. In 2023, the government tripled the size of the Macquarie Island Marine Park, placing an extra 385,000 square kilometres of Australia's oceans under high protection. That was the biggest act of conservation in the world that year. It was followed in 2024 when Labor quadrupled the size of the Heard and McDonald Islands marine park. That was the biggest act of conservation on the planet in that year. With this proven record, it is no surprise that Australia is a world leader when it comes to marine conservation, and we're taking an active part in working with other countries to better protect more of the world's oceans. This is necessary because around 60 per cent of the world's oceans are beyond national jurisdiction, but only about one per cent of these waters is currently protected. In June 2023, the United Nations adopted the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction. It's a mouthful, but its role, its job and our reason for working with it is that it fundamentally helps to protect our oceans and the creatures that call them home. Thankfully, it is also known as the BBNJ agreement or the high seas treaty, which is how I'll be referring to it from now on. Australia has participated in more than two decades of work and negotiations for this treaty, showing our commitment to marine conservation. We were a founding signatory to the treaty, signing it on the first day it was open for signature on 20 September 2003. We are co-chairing the process of preparing for the very first meeting of the conference of the parties involved. The high seas treaty will create a comprehensive international legal structure dedicated to protecting and responsibly managing marine biodiversity in areas that lie beyond the control of individual nations, because the ocean and the environment don't see borders, but that doesn't mean that they don't deserve protection. It is designed to work alongside and to reinforce existing global and regional agreements, filling critical gaps in ocean governance where regulation has previously been limited. By promoting stronger cooperation and coordinated action among countries, the high seas treaty will play a pivotal role in safeguarding marine ecosystems, supporting sustainable use of ocean resources and maintaining ocean health. It will be a key mechanism in advancing the global commitment to conserve at least 30 per cent of the world's oceans by 2030. ADJOURNMENT 71 ADJOURNMENT Gambling 71 16:31 Mr WILKIE C2T Clark I've got a lot of time for the Prime Minister. I think he's a pretty decent character and I think he's doing a pretty good job. But I will not be silent as he continues to stand in the way of meaningful gambling reform in this country. I will not stay silent when I see him continue to silence his backbenchers who want to see meaningful reform. No wonder there's a kerfuffle in the cabinet, when so many members of his own government are outraged that the government has not even bothered to respond to the report by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, known as the You win some, you lose more report—known more often, actually, as the Murphy report, seeing as the late Peta Murphy was the chair of that very important committee. How on earth the Prime Minister can continue to obstruct meaningful reform and continue to tolerate the government not even responding to that report absolutely beggars belief. Did you know, Speaker, that that report was handed to the government more than 1,000 days ago? We know from good research that, in that period of a thousand days, well over 1,000 Australians affected by gambling addiction have suicided. That is the human face of this matter—that over a thousand people affected by gambling addiction have suicided since that report was brought down. That's not to mention—well, I will mention—the hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering the ill effects of gambling addiction, have lost more money than they can afford and are in dire financial strife, have lost their jobs, have lost relationships, have lost their families and have lost their mental health. We also know, from credible research out of Victoria, that, after drug addiction, gambling addiction is the second-most prevalent reason for crime in that state, yet the government continues to stand by and do nothing. I was outraged—I think a lot of people were outraged—the other day when the member for Curtin asked a very reasonable question of the Prime Minister in question time. She asked, 'When will the government respond to that report that was handed to the government over a thousand days ago?' And the Prime Minister stood there and he misled the parliament when he said that the government had responded to the report and had implemented those 31 recommendations. But, in fact, when you look at those recommendations in detail, it is patently obvious that the government has not introduced a single one of those reforms—not one out of 31. It certainly has not implemented the flagship reform of a phased ban on gambling advertising. Then, to make matters even worse, the Prime Minister referred to BetStop, which, yes, I agree with the Prime Minister, is a very good reform. It's not a silver bullet, but it is helping thousands of Australians to deal with gambling addiction. But that reform was an initiative of the Morrison government. It was not an initiative of the Labor government in this parliament or the previous parliament; it was a coalition reform. It's bad enough that the government hasn't even responded to the Murphy report, but to be crowing about the achievements of other governments and making them its own is quite scandalous—and the public see through this. No wonder there is this kerfuffle in the Labor caucus among numerous backbenchers, some of whom have spoken to me about this. A number of members of the opposition have also spoken to me about this. They all agree it is completely and utterly unacceptable that the Prime Minister stands in the way. I'm focusing on the Prime Minister because it is patently obvious that a majority of members of this House, and a majority of members of the government, want to see the Murphy report recommendations implemented speedily and in full. It's an open secret in this place that the only reason nothing is happening is the Prime Minister is personally standing in the way because he's putting his relationship with the sporting codes, the gambling companies and the media companies ahead of the interests of millions of Australians who are affected by this. Canberra Electorate: Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles 72 16:36 Ms PAYNE 144732 Canberra In the election campaign I was pleased to campaign for a community battery in the suburb of Dickson, within the electorate I represent. A few weeks ago I was excited to be at the launch, or the switching on, of that battery with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen; the ACT Chief Minister; and the ACT environment minister, Suzanne Orr. This battery enables households in Dickson who don't have the capacity to have a battery themselves to store more of the energy generated by solar panels and keep that energy so we can use more of it and put it back into the grid. It enables the storage and sharing of energy, and, in a very practical sense, our community owning our energy future. That's what the energy transition looks like when it's working right here in a suburb like Dickson and in places all around this country. Our parliament is meeting at a time of great global uncertainty, and people in my community here in Canberra are feeling deep concern about the situation globally but also feeling the impacts here, and are worried about our energy security and fuel security. So this is a great example of where the renewable energy transition helps us to have more control over our own energy and our energy sovereignty. What's important is that people who have less capacity to afford some of the personal renewable items need to be supported to be part of that transition—and that's exactly what community battery is about. Here in Canberra, the electric vehicle discount, cutting the fringe benefits tax and import tariffs on eligible electric vehicles, has helped drive a surge in EV ownership across Australia and particularly here in Canberra. Here in the ACT, the ACT government have also provided their own incentives. This has meant that more Canberrans than ever are driving electric, and I believe we are leading the country in that regard. On home batteries, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program has now supported over a quarter of a million installations—that is a landmark number—helping all those Australian households to store energy that they've generated themselves. That is energy independence for a huge and growing number of Australian families. On large-scale renewables, project after project has been ticked off—offshore wind zones declared, solar and wind farms approved, transmission corridors moving through planning. The pipeline is filling, and it is delivering more and more energy. We're getting on with the huge transition to a renewable future. As I mentioned, at a time when we are faced with uncertainty, these renewable energy sources that we have right here in Australia, in abundance, are a huge benefit to our community and a huge advantage in us making that transition—and, at the same time, they ensure we have control over our energy sources. But it's really important that we don't ignore the green divide. Our government has been working hard to ensure that, when it comes to that transition, no-one is left behind. At the moment, the people who aren't feeling the pinch of the higher petrol prices are people who could already afford an electric vehicle, or those who aren't sweating on quarterly electricity bills are those who already have solar on their roof. But we need to make sure that the clean energy transition is accessible for everyone, and I know that people in my community want to be part of that as well. It's important to them. At the moment, renters can't put solar on a roof that they can't own, and most people are unlikely to be in a position to afford a new EV, regardless of some of the fantastic incentives that we've provided. So this is a problem that we want to continue to work on, and there's a geopolitical reason that it's urgent as well. Our renewable resources—solar, wind and hydro—cannot be caught up in these global conflicts in the ways that the traditional fossil fuels that need to be shipped around the world can. That is another reason why it's critically important that we focus on the transition to renewables and ensure that no-one is left behind in that transition. Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement 73 16:41 Mr RICK WILSON 198084 O'Connor As we wrap up this week's parliamentary sittings and head home, us Western Australians are heading home to a state where a cyclone is tracking down the west coast. It is currently a level 3 cyclone a couple of hundred kilometres off the Pilbara coast and is forecast to track down through the Murchison Crossing around Denham then through the northern and the southern wheat belt of Western Australia. That will encompass a lot of communities that both the member for Durack and I represent. We are hoping and praying that everybody stays safe. The winds on Saturday are forecast to get up to around 70 kilometres an hour, which is hopefully not too damaging down in my part of the world, but I'm sure they'll be stronger further north, so let's hope that the damage is limited and that it does bring some serious rains for the wheat belt. I know that farmers are getting ready for seeding. Let's hope that they have enough fuel and fertiliser to get those crops in when the rain comes. I'm looking forward to being back in the electorate tomorrow with my people if I can get a flight home, but, if not, I'll be driving to be there and be amongst the community when that cyclone arrives. Onto other events that happened in this place this week, we welcomed the President of the European Commission here. She gave an address about a whole range of things, including security and other issues. Briefly during that address, she touched on what was referred to as a free trade agreement. But, having looked at the agreement, I would think it's anything but free trade. The European Union was formed as a trading bloc post World War II and it has been designed to protect their farmers essentially—their farming communities. I understand the rationale for that. Post World War II, when hunger had been a very real issue across those European countries, they wanted to protect their farming communities, and they've done that now for 70-odd years. Going on the agreement that was reached between the Australian government and the European Union, they are still protecting their farmers, believe me. Let's get one example of dairy farmers and cheesemakers. European farmers receive a 30 per cent subsidy to produce cheese, and Australian farmers, of course, get no subsidy, but we have now given those 30 per cent subsidised farmers absolutely unfettered access to our market and got virtually nothing in return. But the area that I am most disturbed and indeed angry about is lamb and mutton access to the European Union. The current government singled out the sheep farmers across my electorate of O'Connor for serious punishment when they closed down the live export trade. That took away the market for between 500,000 and a million animals per year in the live trade, and those animals will now have to be processed locally, despite the fact that we have abattoirs closing because of lack of throughput and lack of supply. Those abattoirs are closing, but the product they process will need to be marketed around the rest of the world. It was very important for the sheep farmers of O'Connor and, indeed, more broadly, Western Australia reeling from that decision around the live export trade that the government got a really good deal on chilled lamb. From what I can gather—and the details are a little bit scant at this stage—three years ago, this current government put negotiations on hold because they couldn't get a good deal for beef and lamb, but it would appear they've just rolled over, perhaps because the president was coming to Australia and they were desperate for some economic good news. They made an announcement that we'd agreed to a deal. It is a terrible deal; there is nothing in it for the farming community more broadly and particularly nothing in it for Western Australian sheep producers. Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, Southern Youth and Family Services 73 16:46 Ms BYRNES 299145 Cunningham I am so excited to get a tour of the new Illawarra regional multicultural centre in Coniston tomorrow. During the 2025 election, I committed $5 million for the MCCI to develop this critical multicultural hub, and I am absolutely thrilled to see this funding now delivered. The Illawarra region is incredibly proud of our multicultural community. We have more than 70 multicultural associations, and they contribute so much to our vibrant social fabric. Whether through events, dance, food, music, art or more, our multicultural communities are a celebrated and embraced part of our local spirit. For the last 50 years, the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, otherwise known as MCCI, has been working to support these diverse groups, and they are a much-trusted and relied-upon source of guidance and care for so many. With such an extensive array of cultures, religions and traditions, it's no wonder that there is a growing need for inclusive and accessible infrastructure to support the many events throughout our social calendar. That's where the Illawarra regional multicultural centre will come in. This will be a one-stop shop for our community's major and minor multicultural gatherings, a hub of connection, celebration, diversity and inclusion, embracing all that the Illawarra region's diversity has to offer. With future plans for cooking and outdoor facilities as well—and I'm still working on the barbeque there—I know not only that this regional centre will play a pivotal role in the lives of so many people in our community but also that it will become the new headquarters for MCCI's team, providing a fit-for-purpose, modern and accessible space for its staff, with some meeting areas, training rooms, a service centre for people who need a helping hand and much, much more. I was so impressed when I attended the MCCI workshop with Ras Frisk from ArkiLab Designs. Ras is a Danish architect who has a unique way of working with organisations to bring their group vision for working and community spaces to life. To see all of the MCCI staff and our community engaged so enthusiastically with this process was really inspirational, and I'm so excited to finally see the concept plans that ArkiLab has produced. They are seriously impressive. I have no doubt that this centre will become the shining example of what can be achieved when community works together to build something for themselves with heart, with inclusion and with all the community spirit that the Illawarra is well known for. I want to say a very big thank you to MCCI's CEO, Chris Lacey; chairperson, Tom Begic; and the entire MCCI team, and I want to thank you for your incredible work in getting this centre off the ground and for the work that you do every single day supporting our vibrant multicultural community. I have also been really pleased recently to support another fantastic local community organisation helping people in need in my electorate. Southern Youth and Family Services is a fantastic not-for-profit organisation that works to support disadvantaged families and young people across the Illawarra. SYFS, as it is known, provides a range of services including accommodation, counselling, mediation and programs targeted at improving outcomes for at-risk local families. That's why I was so very pleased to support the work SYFS is doing with $15,000 for the Cringila learning resource support program with the help of the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association under the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity grants program. The Cringila learning resource support program aims to equip disadvantaged young people with the tools that they need to re-engage with education and employment, succeed academically and feel a sense of belonging. Providing essential back-to-school supplies as well as connecting families with wraparound support services, SYFS aims to address the complex challenges that lead to disengagement and disadvantage. I recently visited the Cringila Community Centre to see firsthand the fantastic supplies that the funding has helped to make available for local families. It was great to hear from Amanda Giles, the principal at Cringila Public School, and Paula Thurgate, the community liaison officer at Warrawong Public School, about the difference that these supplies have made to their students. I'd sincerely like to thank the CEO of Southern Youth and Family Services, Narelle Clay, as well as Persa Atkins and Gorana Deljanovska from Cringila Community Centre and their entire team members. (Time expired) Goldstein Electorate: Federal Elections 74 16:51 Mr TIM WILSON IMW Goldstein I seek leave to table a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the 2025 election. Leave not granted. Mr TIM WILSON IMW This continues the ongoing efforts of the Albanese government to confront the brutal realities of what happened in the Goldstein electorate over the past two election cycles. A submission was made to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and has twice been declined, and now it has been declined in the House of Representatives. What does it tell? It tells a very truthful story about what has actually happened in Goldstein. While it was a robust electoral contest in previous elections, nothing had been seen like it until the 2022 and 2025 election, where we had teal front groups that have been created for the sole purpose of endorsing candidates on the basis that they're apparently independent. One of the things that they don't want to show is the Instagram page of the Voices of Goldstein, which hasn't posted since May 2022. The so-called community based organisation just dissipates the minute it achieves its objective, which is getting a teal elected into the parliament. The Voices of Goldstein group had deeply unsavoury figures attached to it, including people who told other people to shut up and compared prime ministers of this country serving their nation to Adolf Hitler. This is not my opinion—this is literally what has come out from their own content and behaviour. We've also seen campaigners engaging such prolific behaviour that the candidates have had to apologise for their despicable behaviour, and we've got deep dishonesty where supporters of candidates claim they have no association and no attachment to the candidate—and the candidate denies their involvement—yet their own spouse produces things on Facebook saying that that is not in fact correct. They were attached to the campaign. We've seen evidence where there have been deliberate online hit squads that have been used to target other candidates and boost the teal candidate in the context of their Wikipedia pages, something that's been extensively covered in the Australian. We've also seen evidence where teal campaigners deliberately vandalised a candidate's home. In this case, I need to acknowledge it was my home and with actual photographic evidence of them actually doing that, including putting content on my own private fence without my permission. There are also ongoing issues around security, where candidates have found themselves in a situation of intimidation, having to get upgrades of security at their private residence, as well as the AFP involved, for protection in the 2022 election, and there's the ongoing targeting by certain teal strategists towards Jewish community representatives. This is one that I think is particularly despicable. Following the 2022 election, when I was no longer a member in this House, the teal campaigners organised, when I was on holiday, to have campaign material put up around the holiday home I was staying in so that they could continue to rub in the face—the obsession and the nastiness of the teal movement is truly something to behold. There's photographic evidence, again, but the government doesn't want that going into the parliamentary record. Then there's the overt homophobic content that was produced and has even been studied by the Australian National University, including hard evidence from social media posts. They don't want that in the parliamentary record either. They don't want evidence of teals being directly caught teal handed engaging in theft, including of private property. They don't want included content produced by groups like the Smart Energy Council, who claim that they are somehow an independent organisation but actively continue to be involved in misleading the community. We also have groups like the so-called Hothouse Magazine that are involved in illegally vandalising public property across the Goldstein electorate—and I understand they did in places like Flinders and elsewhere. Then, of course, we have Dan Ilic. We all know Dan Ilic, the 'comedian' who was actively involved not just in launching the teal campaign in 2025; he also authorised content which vandalised other people's campaign material as well. We have teal groups claiming: 'Oh, it's terrible. No-one was participating in the campaign or content or campaign debates where they were supposed to be independent'—except for the fact that the evidence shows that they were all organised by the candidate, including specifically listing the donors from their campaign webpage. Finally, there's the involvement of the Australian Labor Party, including the member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus— Dr Leigh BU8 Props! Mr TIM WILSON IMW who was involved in campaign material for the teals. (Time expired) The SPEAKER 53517 I remind the member for Goldstein not to be holding up documents when he's giving addresses at the dispatch box. Australian Society 75 16:56 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt On 17 March 2026, I attended a citizenship ceremony, where I met Nilufar from Iran. She handed me a letter in which she had expressed how she felt about becoming an Australian citizen. She wrote: … becoming an Australian citizen is a profound honour. Australia represents values that many people across the world deeply admire freedom, democracy, equality before the law, and respect for human dignity. These principles form the foundation of a just and compassionate society. I couldn't agree more, and I suggest that there has never been a clearer moment to undertake, as Australians, to walk forward together in pursuit of maintaining these values. There has never been a clearer, more urgent moment to do this. The freedoms, democracy and human dignity that we enjoy here in Australia—and that Nilufar so passionately expressed support for—go hand in hand with national and regional security, sovereign capability and economic and energy self-resilience and can only flourish when these things are assured. Equally, we will only be invested in assuring these things when we are deeply invested in the merit and protection of the values that underpin them. So this is Australia's moment to say, 'Yes, we will continue to do the work to put our country in the best possible position to be able and willing to protect those values.' Now, a fundamental feature of this work must lie in recognising our geography. As an island continent, seaborne supply is our lifeline. The absence of ships bringing in critical supplies, including the fuel and fertiliser that power our economy and power our defence capability, means—if they don't arrive—Australia's national and economic security is put at risk. The five Ss form the backbone of protecting this: ships, submarines, space, sovereignty and sustainability. The first S is ships—ships to protect our maritime borders and trade routes and Australian flagged ships to conduct strategic supply as part of a dedicated maritime industrial base. The second S is submarines—nuclear powered submarines to act as a credible and effective deterrent to any adversary that would seek to challenge our expansive maritime trade routes, which are of existential importance. The third S is space, to support our Defence Force and to contribute to satellite communications and operations, missile warning, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, environmental monitoring and space control, all of which is needed to ensure access to space to counter emerging space threats and to enhance space domain awareness. The fourth S is sovereignty—to gradually reduce the volume of seaborne supply we require for a functioning and prosperous economy and for a capable and effective defence force. If it is made in Australia, it is here in Australia for the benefit of Australia and for our region. This government's 'A Future Made in Australia' speaks to sovereignty and strategic resilience because it is rightly focused on a diversified economy that facilitates and welcomes private sector investment from both large businesses and from SMEs across industry rewards risks taken in innovation, technology, quantum computing and clean energy and, importantly, attracts more global capital. The fifth S is sustainability, which speaks to the importance of sustaining productive and mutually beneficial relationships with our regional partners, our traditional allies and our European, Asian and Canadian middle-power friends. First and foremost, the need to continue to generate, maintain and then further build regional security is an imperative, and this has been rightly recognised with this government's facilitation of both the Jakarta treaty with Indonesia and the Pukpuk Treaty with Papua New Guinea. Regional security and stability lead to the creation and maintenance of circumstances in which the aspirations of the Indo-Pacific can be best realised, steering economic development and prosperity for all countries in the region. Stable regions have stable, resilient and fair economic environments that can grow and thrive, which is good for citizens and, importantly, good for the preservation of liberal democracy. Returning to Nilufar, she's now a citizen of Australia, an island country where the values she would fight for every day are the values she gets to live under. Now, more than ever, is our moment to stand together as a chamber and as a country to ensure this never changes. House adjourned at 17:01 NOTICES 76 NOTICES Presentation 76

Thursday, 26 March 2026

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Sharkie ) took the chair at 09:30.

 

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS 77 CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Fuel 77 09:30 Mr JOYCE e5d New England This is a fuel crisis. We've been told there's more fuel here, but it must be fuel from the 'mystery' fuel company because we can't actually see it. I'm absolutely astounded by the lack of comprehension of exactly what is rippling through our economy. It is not going to stop; it is going to get worse. I just want to enlighten people about the sorts of areas this is now going into, areas you've probably never considered. I have here correspondence from the funeral industry, from one of the major funeral homes in my area. The funeral industry are running out of fuel; they're running short. They can't basically, once people are deceased, move a body from where it is, out in the country, back to where it can be stored. The soul's gone; it's just the body. And we're told there's not a crisis, that apparently there's more fuel out there. We now have cotton pickers sitting in paddocks, in million dollar crops, that can't move. If the crop can't be stripped, it's gone. This is happening right now. Sports carnivals, for young people at school, have to be cancelled because people can't get to them. We have people who just have to drive a small distance to get to a depot to get to work, but they're doing it tough. They're saying, 'Our budget just doesn't allow us to do this anymore.' And every dollar they spend on fuel is a dollar they can't spend on food. We have the building industry in my area talking about PVC—we use it during a drought, and we're heading into a massive drought with El Nino—having a 27 to 36 per cent increase just in April. Of course, people are saying this is untenable. They need glues for the construction of certain composite timber beams, but they're going to be running out of glue. An honourable member interjecting— Mr JOYCE e5d As I said—PVC pipelines. This has got to be taken vastly more proficiently than it currently is. If all these premiers are going to come down here on Monday and have their powwow—I tell you you'd better get out and start rationing because, if you don't ration, it's going to ration you. Parramatta Electorate: Heritage Listing 77 09:33 Dr CHARLTON I8M Parramatta I rise today to speak about an issue of profound importance to my community: the protection of Parramatta's colonial heritage. Three of Australia's most historically significant colonial sites, in Parramatta, are currently under assessment for inclusion on the National Heritage List. The first is Elizabeth Farm, the oldest surviving European building in Australia and birthplace of the merino wool industry, built by John and Elizabeth Macarthur. Elizabeth's story, in particular, stands as a testament to the women who helped found this nation. The second is Experiment Farm Cottage, where James Ruse, the first former convict to receive a land grant, proved the colony could feed itself. The third, Hambledon Cottage, one of Australia's most intact early colonial homes, offers a rare glimpse into domestic life in the 1800s. No other precinct in Australia holds that combination so intact in such close proximity, and now it is under threat. A proposed development of 483 multistory dwellings at Gregory Place risks permanently altering this heritage landscape—its sightlines, its archaeological fabric and the skyline that frames Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral. This is Australia's largest Maronite Catholic parish—30,000 people and four decades of community. It's where Lebanese Australians baptise their children, keep their language alive and gather as a community. To place a development of this scale on that horizon would be a profound intrusion. Parramatta has the highest number of housing approvals in New South Wales, and I'm proud of that. We're not against housing. Housing matters. But growth without memory is not progress. A great city must value its past as much as its future. The significance of these buildings extends to the land around them. Decades of deliberate effort have gone into restoring this landscape to an authentic rural setting. Houses were demolished, roads rerouted and land carefully acquired. That painstaking work makes the threat of this development all the more devastating. Parramatta has fought for its heritage before, and it will fight again. Hambledon Cottage was twice threatened with demolition in the mid-20th century, earmarked for factories and saved only by community action. We saved it then. We cannot afford to lose it now. That is why I am engaging with the Australian Heritage Council to urgently finalise its assessment and working with Minister Murray Watt to prioritise national heritage recognition without delay. I've launched a community petition to support this call, and I encourage every Australian who values their heritage to add their name to that petition. Mining Industry 78 09:36 Ms LANDRY 249764 Capricornia I rise today to acknowledge the importance of Minerals Week here in Canberra, a time when we recognise one of the foundational pillars of our national economy and, in particular, the immense contribution of the coal industry to communities like those I represent in Central Queensland. In my electorate, mining isn't an abstract concept; it's a way of life. It's the jobs that put food on the table, the apprenticeships that give our young people a future and the small businesses that thrive because of the strength of our resources sector. Coal in particular remains a cornerstone of that strength. Central Queensland is home to some of the highest quality metallurgical coal in the world, essential for steelmaking, for infrastructure and for development not just here in Australia but across the globe. Every hospital built, every bridge constructed, every piece of critical infrastructure relies on the very product our regions proudly supply. While there are many conversations about the future of energy, we must remain grounded in reality. Global demand for coal, especially metallurgical coal, remains strong. Our trading partners continue to rely on it, and Australia is uniquely positioned to provide it responsibly, efficiently and sustainably. The scale of this contribution is clear. In the Fitzroy region alone, the resources sector delivers $1.7 billion in wages, supports nearly 17,000 direct jobs and contributes $3.4 billion in spending across more than 2,500 local businesses and over 500 community organisations. In total, it underpins $10.6 billion in regional economic activity and supports more than 56,000 jobs. What sets our industry apart is not just the resource itself but the people behind it. The coal industry in Central Queensland supports tens of thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. These are not just numbers. These are families, communities and entire towns where livelihoods depend on a strong and stable resources sector. Moreover, the economic benefits extend far beyond regional areas. Royalties from coalmining help fund essential services right across our state schools, hospitals and roads, benefiting every Queenslander. During Minerals Week it's also important to recognise the industry's ongoing commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. Companies are investing in new technologies to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and ensure that mining operations coexist with environmental stewardship. We should be backing these efforts, not undermining them, because, when we support our coal industry, we are supporting Australian jobs, Australian exports and Australia's economic resilience. Central Queensland has long powered this nation and continues to play a vital role in powering the world. Let us use Minerals Week not just as a moment of recognition but as a call to stand firmly behind an industry that delivers so much for so many. International Students, Women's Health 78 09:39 Mr GOSLING 245392 Solomon I have great news. The latest international student data shows that Charles Darwin University in the electorate of Solomon is powering ahead when it comes to the fastest-growing destination for international students in Australia. This confirms that the Territory is, as the greatest beneficiary of the Albanese Labor government's policies, to share the benefits of international education equally across Australia. Department of Education November 2025 year-to-date data show that international student commencements reflecting new students in the Territory have increased by 20 per cent, rising from 2,282 in 2024 to 2,743 in 2025—a 20 per cent lift. The Territory has outpaced every other state and territory since 2019, with a 41 per cent increase to 2025. The Territory's strong performance stands out against national trends, which shows the government's policies are working to moderate overall student numbers nationally, while sharing the benefits more fairly with regional areas like us in the Top End. The Northern Territory is the biggest winner and additional places have been allocated to universities like Charles Darwin University that have demonstrated efforts on key government priorities: new student housing, engagement with South-East Asia and market diversification. The government made tough decisions to safeguard the integrity and long-term sustainability of Australia's world-class international education sector and to share the benefits more fairly with every state and territory and, in particular, the regions. The Albanese government's policies are working, with international student numbers on a more sustainable path and regions benefiting the most. This week I heard a story that has really stayed with me. I learned about the important role that CDU midwifery students and graduates are playing in supporting women across the Territory. Many newly arrived families in Darwin did not yet have access to Medicare supported services for pre- and post-natal care. Through their clinical placements, our students are helping to fill this vital gap, supporting women in an incredibly important time in their lives and contributing to better health outcomes for mums and babies. It felt like a fitting reflection during the week of International Women's Day, with people coming together to support women and a new generation of health professionals who are stepping forward with skill, compassion and care. It is just one more example of how Charles Darwin University students and graduates are adding value to our community, not only in Darwin, Palmerston and Greater Darwin but also throughout the Northern Territory. I thank all the educators at Charles Darwin University who are doing so much to bring forward a new generation of health professionals who are more likely to stay in our beautiful Northern Territory. Cost of Living 79 09:43 Ms LE 295676 Fowler The Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate to 4.1 per cent. That is the second increase in just two months. For millions of Australians, that decision has just rewritten their household budgets overnight. Families in my community are now paying the price for an inflation problem they did not create, and they're asking the very simple question: who is responsible? Because part of that answer sits right here in this place. When government spending remains high and the Reserve Bank is left to do all of the heavy lifting, it's everyday Australians who carry the burden. We have seen the pattern: when rates come down, the government is quick to take credit, but when they go up, that responsibility is pushed elsewhere. You cannot have it both ways. Let me be honest. Many of us in this place will not feel the full impact of these decisions. If we did, we would be moving very quickly to fix the structural issues behind them. But families and small-business owners in communities like mine will feel it immediately. They will feel it when they fill up at the petrol station. They will feel it in their mortgage repayments. They will feel it every day as the cost of living continues to rise. In Fowler, the median weekly household income is just $1,403. For a family with a mortgage, even a small rate rise of 25 basis points can mean around $100 extra a month, and two back-to-back increases only add to that pressure. That is money that cannot go towards groceries, petrol, school fees or rent, and in Fowler, transport is not optional. The average household has 1.7 vehicles, and nearly half of all households have two or more cars, not because people want to drive but because they don't have any other public transport and no real alternative. Public transport simply does not meet the needs of many families in my area. People need to get to work, drop their kids off at school, attend appointments and keep their small business running. At the same time, global instability is pushing fuel prices higher. Conflict in the Middle East is adding further pressure at the bowser, and families are feeling that heat straightaway. This is happening exactly at the wrong time. When I was first elected I called on the government to cut the fuel excise to provide immediate relief. That call was dismissed, replaced with short-term announcements and temporary measures. But families do not need short-term sugar hits. They need real structural solutions. Now is the time for the government to step up, to have the courage to make the decisions to restore confidence for working Australians. People in communities like Fowler work hard. They pay their taxes. They do everything right. When families are doing everything right and are still falling behind, it's not them that's failing; it's us. So I call on the government to revisit my original request to halve the fuel excise, which last year delivered almost $27 billion in revenue. A six-month pause would take real pressure off families and small businesses and off inflation. Gorton Electorate: Community Events 79 09:46 Ms JORDAN-BAIRD 316021 Gorton My community of Gorton is full of young people building their futures. In my first term I've started a tradition to recognise the leadership and achievements of some of these incredible young people, awarding students who have made a positive difference in their school and beyond. It's my great pleasure to congratulate the winners of the 2025 Alice Jordan-Baird Gorton Young Leader Awards: Carla Tarquinio, Aranha Yohann, Baraka Ngugi, Emma Taylor, Jacob Crnogorac, Emilia Garcia Sanchez, Prisha Redhu, Mila Zammit, Xander Ridsdale, Liam Bebbington, Nerasha Pathirana, Chloe Osongco, Cindy Tran, Ammar Syed, Tariq Sing. Aishnoor Kaur, Guntaj Hanjrah, Juoiwyn Benmar Reyes, Jessie Marie Poasa, Tristian Duong, Lauren Oh, Evelyn Le Rogers, April Torreon. Noelle Liang, Aruth Nissanka, Justine McCoy, Jessica Dang, Jacob Suite, Kawthar El Hawli and Dahlia Tabone. Congratulations all! We are so proud of you. Young people offer unique insights into how the policies we make here in this chamber impact them back at home, and that's why it's so important to listen. I had the opportunity to do just that with some incredible and passionate students in my electorate at the Overnewton Leadership Summit, which brought together 75 student leaders from schools across Melbourne's north-west. We talked about everything from leadership to the importance of social media in bridging the communication gap between politicians and young people. Thank you to the wonderful team at Overnewton and the staff from neighbouring schools for creating wonderful opportunities like these for our young people to grow. I'd also like to give a special shout-out to Etienne from Overnewton College, as well as Minh from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College and Hiwan from Gilson College, who represented their schools this week in parliament at the 31st National Schools Constitutional Convention. Singing 'Five Little Ducks' and learning how to count to five in Vietnamese, I spent this year's National Playgroup Week with the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association's playgroup in Delahey. Run by incredible volunteers, the Delahey playgroup is ensuring that culture and language are being passed onto the new generation, highlighting the importance of investing in our youngest community members. And our government is doing just that, with a billion-dollar commitment to establish the Building Early Education Fund, increasing the supply of high-quality early childhood education and care places in Australia. I had the pleasure of seeing this investment in action in my electorate when the Minister for Education, the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Victorian Minister Lizzie Blandthorn and I opened Early Learning Victoria Garrong in Kings Park. A shout-out to the truly dedicated early learning team there. Last week I also dropped off Easter hampers at nine ELCs across our community, because the work of early childhood educators in shaping the minds of the next generation doesn't go unnoticed. Cook Electorate: Bate Bay Beaches 80 09:49 Mr KENNEDY 267506 Cook Today I wish to acknowledge three achievements unique to the stunning electorate of Cook. Firstly, Bate Bay's beaches were aptly named the Best Beach of the Year in Australia for 2026. This national recognition isn't just about the stunning scenery—and it is very stunning; anyone who's walked along Cronulla, Elouera, Wanda or Greenhills knows how beautiful those beaches are—but it's also about pride in the local community, environmental stewardship and keeping those beaches safe. We are lucky to have hundreds if not thousands of volunteers who walk along those beaches and collect rubbish. To those across our four surf clubs—Cronulla, North Cronulla, Elouera and Wanda—who give up hundreds of thousands of hours over the years to keep those beaches safe: we thank you. We thank you for your part in making this the best beach in Australia. One of those volunteers is Jenson Wade, and Jenson proves that you're never too young to make a difference. Jenson organised the Jenson Hates Waste beach clean-up in Cronulla Beach, and the results were extraordinary. With the help of the local community, Jenson collected more than 12,000 pieces of rubbish from Cronulla Beach and the sand and surrounding hills. Those 12,000 pieces of plastic debris and litter are no longer polluting our beautiful beach and are no longer threatening marine life. Cronulla is one of the jewels of the Sutherland Shire and one of the jewels of Australia. Thanks to young people like Jenson—and your mates who were there to help you that day—it's being looked after by the next generation. I wish to celebrate a truly iconic event in the local Sutherland Shire calendar: the Shark Island Swim. This legendary open-water swim has been a fixture of Sydney's summer for more than 30 years, bringing together swimmers of all ages and all abilities to test themselves against the ocean and the spectacular backdrop that is Shark Island. I'd like to congratulate Harry Came, who won both the one-kilometre race and the 2.3-kilometre race; Thomas Valassis and Steve Boxall, who came second and third in the one-kilometre race; and Beau Griggs and Charlotte Bowmer, who came second and third in the 2.3-kilometre race. I'd like to thank Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and indeed all the members of the Bate Bay clubs who helped put on the event and helped organise it on the day. I'd also like to thank Scott Charlton and Sydney Airport, who sponsored that event and sponsor so many great events in southern Sydney and Cronulla. There's one last person I'd like to thank: Brian Havilah, the 91-year-old who completed that one-kilometre swim. Brian, you're a legend. Deakin Electorate: Nowruz, Middle East 80 09:52 Mr GREGG 315154 Deakin Today, I wanted to wish a happy Nowruz to my local Iranian community and to everyone who celebrates this special day. The member for Menzies and I marked Nowruz with a morning tea with the Iranian community leaders from across our electorates, which are neighbours in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, and it was fantastic to be joined by the Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, Minister for Cyber Security and Minister for the Arts. It is a very difficult time for our Australian Iranian community. While any damage to or diminishment of the Iranian regime is welcome news to many in our community, the immediate threat to the safety of friends and family still in Iran is incredibly distressing. There is disagreement and tension within our Iranian Australian diaspora as well. They are not a monolithic group. They've got different perspectives on what the military operations are achieving in Iran and how to go about achieving a society that is more peaceful and democratic going forward. However, they are united in desire for peace and united in desire for greater respect for human rights for the people of Iran going forward. They're all hopeful that that can be achieved one way or another. It is, in a democratic society, normal and healthy to have discussions about what's going on in the world and share differing perspectives on how to best go forward, but I know it's been frustrating that there have been some bad-faith political actors, people who should know better, attempting to box the Iranian Australian community into a single view. Ultimately, like all Australians, the community is driven by the love and concern they have for friends and family. It was fantastic to have the minister out for the morning tea to hear from the community their very real concerns about being able to contact loved ones, given the communication blackout; about how their expression might be interfered with or lead to retribution by the IRGC for loved ones who remain in Iran; and about cohesion within the community as well. I really want to thank the House of Persia for hosting us that morning—particularly Rana and Afrooz, who do a great job representing the Iranian Australian community in Deakin. We heard overwhelming support for the efforts to keep people connected to the regime and the IRGC out of Australia. There is also very understandable concern that innocent family members may be unable to come to Australia if they're caught up in changes to the immigration system. The minister announced yesterday that there will be a pause, a restriction for a period of six months, for those on Iranian passports holding visitor visas from coming to Australia, unless they get a permitted travel certificate. It was good to be able to have an honest conversation about the impact of those laws, clarifying— A division having been called in the House of Representatives — Sitting suspended from 09:55 to 10:16 Mr GREGG 315154 In relation to the arrival control determinations, I note that the minister has confirmed that sympathetic consideration will be given to the parents of Australian citizens for permitted travel permits. I would like to thank the Iranian Australian community in Deakin for their continued engagement and wish all Iranian Australians a happy Nowruz. Archbishop Anthony Randazzo 81 10:17 Mr LEESER 109556 Berowra On behalf of the parliament and the people of Berowra, I want to congratulate Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, the Catholic Bishop of Broken Bay, who was appointed by Pope Leo as Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts. This is the highest role currently held by an Australian in the Vatican Curia. He's one of a handful of Australians who have run dicasteries, including cardinals Pell, Cassidy and Knox. Archbishop Randazzo grew up in Queensland, where his father migrated from Lipari, Italy, and ran a greengrocery. Ordained as a priest in 1991, he worked in Rome as a canon lawyer. He returned to Australia running the seminary in Brisbane before being appointed the auxiliary bishop in Sydney in 2016 and the Bishop of Broken Bay in 2019. Pope Francis, seeing his gifts for leadership, appointed him the President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania and the Apostolic Administrator of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross. Catholics in Broken Bay will be feeling mixed emotions about this appointment: on the one hand, enormous pride that the gifts of the man who has steered the church in our community have been recognised and, on the other hand, a sense of sadness that we're losing such a good shepherd. Archbishop Anthony's leadership in Broken Bay has been transformative. He led the church through the challenging period of COVID, when churches closed and people were physically isolated, and then he brought people back to physical worship again. He participated in the synod for a synodal church and implemented those ideas in Broken Bay, encouraging both ordained and lay leaders to play a role in the leadership of the church. Building on the foundations of his predecessor, Archbishop Peter Comensoli, he transformed Catholic schools with new governance, improved accountability, improved academic performance and a greater focus on Catholic identity that has seen Broken Bay schools go to over 19,000 children, the highest number ever educated by the diocese. His pioneering work on the Eileen O'Connor schools for children with disability and neurodiversity has been a great innovation. In 2024, when, for the first time in many years, Christmas and Chanukah coincided, and horrified at the antisemitism taking root in this country, he brought together faith leaders from across his diocese. He encouraged Christians to put a candle in the window at Christmas to demonstrate solidarity with the Jewish community and devoted his homily on Christmas Eve to combating antisemitism. Last year he contacted me in early December to tell me he was going to do the same thing again. He put out a post on 13 December with his candle in the window, and then the massacre at Bondi occurred the following evening. On that night he led our country by example. The simple act of putting a candle in the window to show solidarity with the Jewish people captured the imagination of our country, and millions of people, from the Governor-General down, followed his example. His local leadership has been amazing. His moral leadership has been nation defining. On a personal level, I want to say how much I've appreciated his friendship and his very good sense of humour. Archbishop Anthony Randazzo is one of the finest people I know, and I've been lucky to work with him during his time as the Bishop of Broken Bay. On behalf of everyone in our community I wish him good luck and godspeed, and we will all be praying for him in his new role. Tough Guy Book Club 82 10:20 Ms KEARNEY LTU Cooper Today I rise to recognise the important work of an amazing group, the Tough Guy Book Club. A national survey by Healthy Male has found that 43 per cent of men are impacted by loneliness, and some long-term trends show a decline in close friendships amongst men. For many men, connections used to be formed in community groups, sporting clubs, churches or unions—institutions that maybe aren't as prevalent as they once were. And that's why today I'd like to take the opportunity to highlight the incredible work of the Tough Guy Book Club in fighting loneliness. This is a story that started in 2012. Shay Leighton, the founder of Tough Guy Book Club, was living a life that by many societal standards would appear fortunate. He had a successful career and relationships with his work peers, but on the inside, he says, he was feeling unfulfilled and lonely. One day while Shay was thinking and talking about this with one of his friends, they were looking for an answer, and the idea of the book club was formed. Today the work of Shay and other members of the book club is challenging the mentality that tough men don't talk about their feelings. They're working hard towards creating healthier relationships for themselves and for other men. Shay says, 'How the hell does reading—you know, picking up a book and learning new shit—become something that's considered the opposite of toughness?' That's a direct quote, Deputy Speaker. I promise it wasn't just me saying that! So I hope you understand. 'I can assure you there is nothing tough about knowing less than the next guy.' Today the Tough Guy Book Club has grown from two friends meeting at a pub in Collingwood to having over 1,300 attendees over 140 locations in eight countries. That's over 5,000 meetings of healthy conversations between everyday men. Something that I love about Shay's work is that it's dedicated to supporting men from all classes, all backgrounds and all contexts. I believe that Tough Guy is the kind of initiative that we need to see more of when addressing men's mental health. In Cooper, there are Tough Guy meetings in Preston, Reservoir, Northcote, Thornbury and Alphington. Shay came to my office recently to tell me about the work he's doing, and he's absolutely warmed my heart. He told me story after story of men finding connection and fulfilment from having these deeper conversations. You see, the books start the conversations, and the themes in the books often lead to other important topics that help men discuss their feelings and personal things that are happening—or maybe not. Maybe they do just talk about the book, because just being there together is an important first step to enable deeper conversations. Supporting men's mental health benefits our whole community too. It encourages less stigma around help-seeking, more positive relationships and stronger and safer communities. Fantastic work to Shay and the whole team. Fuel 82 10:23 Mr LITTLEPROUD 265585 Maranoa Three weeks ago, the Albanese government told us there was no fuel crisis, there was no problem, we were all going to be able to get on our way, and we didn't need to panic buy. It was all good. Even yesterday the Minister for Climate Change and Energy tells us that the supply is there and we've got it. Well, the good people of Maranoa would tell you different. If you want to know the lived experience of people in Maranoa, go to the town of Texas. Eight-hundred people live in Texas, and they have a fuel station that has no fuel. Their closest fuel station is 80 kilometres away. Go to Wallangarra on the border of New South Wales. Again, 70 people live there, but it's on the New England highway. There's no fuel. You want to go to Leyburn, just down the road from where I live? There's no fuel. You want to go to Allora where Bartranz, a locally owned company that supplies fuel to many of the primary producers there, who are trying to harvest sorghum at the moment. There's no fuel, not only for the service station but for the farmers. This is a disconnect between this government and the real world. They've worked in the superficial rather than in the reality of the lived experience or by understanding our supply chains, how our economy works or how regional Australia works. Let me tell you: if we don't have the fuel, you don't have the food. If we don't have the fuel, we don't have those iron ore and coal exports going to a port to pay the bills for you to sit here. This is the stark reality of a government that has been asleep at the wheel, that has no understanding of our supply chains and our economy, because they don't care and they don't understand. Let me tell you: there are people in regional Australia today that are frightened and frustrated because we have a government and a minister that is living in ideology rather than practical reality. This is about making sure they use the levers they've got. The minister knows to the litre where every litre of fuel is at the moment, and yet he is not using his powers to direct it to where it's needed, and that is regional Australia. Let me tell you: not only are farmers and miners going to hurt, but we in western Queensland are about to go into our peak tourist season. We have the Stockman's Hall of Fame, the Qantas Founders Museum and the dinosaur museum up in Winton. Normally, 60,000 people visit that between Easter and October. Well, let me give you six to four on this, Minister. There will be no-one going out there. There will be no money spent in western Queensland, because they can't afford it, let alone get the supply to get to the next town. This is where you have a minister that is out of his depth, that has no understanding of what his role is and the powers that he has at his disposal. He has failed to use them. And we have a prime minister that is complicit in the inability to step up and lead our nation. This is a moment for this Prime Minister. He missed it with Bondi and now he's missing it with fuel. He's gone missing in action, this government has gone missing in action and regional Australia is paying the price of an inept government and an inept minister that should be held to account. If he can't, he should be sacked today. If the Prime Minister's got any guts, he'll do it today. Chifley Electorate: Infrastructure 83 10:26 Mr HUSIC 91219 Chifley In our part of north-western Sydney, the infrastructure needs have been underinvested and have not been met for years, despite the fact that we have phenomenal growth, with an expected 200,000 people moving into our part of the world. For example, since 2019, I've been pushing for the upgrade of Richmond Road to be able to better carry the number of cars that need to use that road with huge housing developments plus commercial and industrial developments there. In 2026, we are finally seeing the upgrade of that road following commitments by the Albanese government and the Minns government, with over $500 million going into that massive upgrade. Despite the fact that we asked federal Liberal and New South Wales Liberal governments for years to get that work done, the only time the NSW Liberal government sought to upgrade the road was when they made an announcement on the eve of the last state election to put money in, which was a complete and utter disgrace. Private transport road upgrades are very important. Public transport is just as important. What we need to see is not all the movement happen by cars but also the movement of people via rail. The biggest missing link in the metro is from Tallawong to St Marys, where we do need to see the extension of the metro and we do need to see both federal and state governments chipping in to make that happen. I've been petitioning residents locally to sign up and show that they support this, and they have in their droves. The other good thing has been that we have recently seen that Infrastructure Australia, in their infrastructure priority list, have just acknowledged that extending the metro from Tallawong to St Marys is a nationally significant priority. I don't know why the former Liberal government stopped it at Tallawong. It made no sense and was a bizarre decision. But we've got a chance to fix this up now, and Infrastructure Australia agrees that that should happen. At the moment, people turn up to Tallawong and can't get parking in the commuter car park from Tallawong, The Ponds, Schofields and down to Marsden Park. A huge number of people are trying to get onto that rail network and can't. Infrastructure Australia now saying that this should be upgraded is really important. It is connecting two major metro lines, linking the north-west directly to the south. There are also all the jobs that will come with it. Importantly, having Richmond Road upgraded plus the metro will unlock the ability to develop the Marsden Park CBD, which will become the biggest CBD in Blacktown and, dare I say, in our part of Western Sydney. We absolutely need that investment. People are dying to see the extension of the rail line plus the other things that need to occur. They've waited too long. They should not be forced to endure any more. Fuel Security 83 10:29 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina The curriculum vitae of Wagga Wagga's Tim Rose describes him as a chemical engineer with degrees in both environmental science and business. It talks about his more than a quarter of a century of experience in industrial operations and re-refining. What it doesn't say is that he is a risk-taker—and indeed he is. He is the proprietor and brain, along with his wife, Camille, of the Southern Oil Refinery at Wagga Wagga and Northern Oil Refinery at Gladstone. Here is the potential key to unlocking our national fuel crisis, because what the Southern Oil Refinery and Northern Oil Refinery do is re-refine sump oil. They have the potential, in Gladstone, to turn prickly pear, acacia and old tyres into usable oil, usable fuel. This could well hold the key to future oil capability, sovereignty and success. He has had a proposal on the desk of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy for some time, for some years, and, sadly, it has not been acted upon. The Southern and Northern Oil refineries have, since 2001 and 2014 respectively, produced millions of litres of oil. Indeed, the current equivalent is 50 million litres of oil at Gladstone and 20 million litres at Wagga Wagga. These are not insignificant numbers, particularly with the crisis that is currently besetting the nation. If we can invest in this and have the political will and the pluck to do the right thing—to make sure of the oil stewardship program, the funding, the capacity at those two plants—then we can create jobs and, more importantly, create oil. Isn't that what we're all seeking to do at the moment? Then, of course, you've got Dick Honan, another great risk-taker, who has invested more than $1 billion in this nation, in infrastructure, in recent years. Dick Honan, of Manildra, is proposing—and has proposed for many, many years—an ethanol mandate. We have to look at these sorts of things as this oil crisis, this fuel crisis, confronts our farmers, the greatest risk-takers in this nation. If they don't get the fuel to fill up their tanks to sow the crops then we are going to be in a world of hurt. It's not just a fuel security problem. It's a food security problem. It's a national security issue. Fremantle Electorate: Acknowledgements 84 10:32 Mr JOSH WILSON 265970 Fremantle I want to pay tribute to some of the wonderful volunteer organisations in the Fremantle electorate and especially to the people who put their time and energy into making our community more inclusive, more connected and more fun and making our community healthier and happier by providing a range of ways to be involved—through sport, through arts and crafts and through initiatives that provide practical assistance and cost savings and that combat loneliness and isolation at the same time. The federal government's volunteer grants program makes a small but important contribution to all those fantastic outcomes by helping to fund equipment, training and IT resources that amplify the effort that local people supply. In my time as the local representative, I've been glad to deliver 148 volunteer grants through more than $515,000 in practical, focused support. In the latest round of grants, there are a number of what I regard as characteristically generous and big-hearted recipients. The Hub 6163, in Hamilton Hill, is a great example. It's a community centre that hosts all kinds of engaging groups and activities, from the Freo Steiner Playgroup to the South Freo Writers Group to Alcoholics Anonymous, and it facilitates life-affirming bits and pieces from yoga to Pilates to singing. On the recent occasion I visited, the hub was alive with the machine hum and warm conversation of the sustainable sewing group. I'm rapt that the volunteer grant will support this vital community centre's operational costs, insurance and communications expenses. I also recently caught up with the good folk from the Coolbellup Panthers Amateur Football Club, including the president, Adrian, the club secretary, John, and some other members, to see how they were going with their upgraded point-of-sale system. The system was funded with a grant to help their bar and canteen volunteers and to make the club more viable and less administratively painful, especially for the volunteer treasurers. The Panthers do a brilliant job of delivering the great physical, social and emotional health benefits of team sport for young people across a range of culturally diverse backgrounds, with lots of First Nations kids in addition to new Australians from places like Cambodia, Croatia, Ethiopia, India and New Zealand. So go, Panthers! Finally, it was a joy to pop into Harmony Primary School and meet with Christine and Sam from the school's canteen, which now benefits from a new commercial freezer and two new commercial fridges, thanks to an application from the Harmony P&C which resulted in $4,750 in grant support. All the canteen's food is prepared fresh on site, with a focus on healthy, tasty, colourful and waste-free options. All these community organisations represent vibrant patches of supportive local colour in the great warming quilt of neighbourhood support that spans across Freo East, Freo and Cockburn. The fact that so much of this sustaining support is provided by volunteers is an uplifting reflection of our values and of our inclination to connect with and lift up our fellow residents and citizens. Being in a position to enable and amplify that labour of love through the Volunteer Grants is one of the great privileges of my work. Fuel 84 10:35 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay How do you create a fuel crisis in a country that exports energy? How do you take one of the most resource-rich nations and push it to the point where everyday Australians are wondering if they can get to work today, tomorrow and the next day? Well, the Albanese Labor government's managed to do that. They've managed to achieve what no Australian wants. As of yesterday, more than 500 petrol stations were dry, and I think there are more because I'm hearing multiple reports in my community alone of petrol stations have run out of fuel. They're not low. They're not limited. They're completely empty. Along Mulgoa Road, one of the busiest corridors in my electorate of Lindsay, nearly every single petrol station was either out of diesel or out of fuel altogether last night. What are they paying? E10 is averaging $2.47, 98 unleaded is higher, getting towards $3, and diesel is up over $3 a litre. These prices aren't stabilising; they are skyrocketing, rising by around 10c per litre every single day. This is not normal. This is not a cycle. This is an absolute crisis. It took the minister for energy kicking and screaming to declare this, to actually notice this. Last week, he was saying there was nothing to see here. While Australians are queuing for fuel, what is the government saying? Minister Catherine King says, 'We've got plenty of fuel in this country.' Minister Claire O'Neil insists we have the fuel circulating in the economy that we need. The energy minister, Chris Bowen, declared that a national fuel emergency is not really on the agenda. Not on the agenda? So what do they call this? What do they call empty bowsers, soaring prices and Australians lining up just to get to work? Out in the real world, it looks very much like an emergency. Carol, who owns the historic Nepean Belle, told me her suppliers are now adding extra charges just to cover their fuel costs, while at the same time her own diesel bill has doubled. She's been hit twice—a double whammy, as she calls it. Shane, a hardworking local, told me he paid $150 just to fill up his car. Now he's questioning whether he can even get to work. Ricky, a truck driver, put it plainly: 'Diesel is over 319c per litre. If trucks stop then so will our nation.' Sam has been tracking prices day by day, watching them climb not weekly but daily, locking in one price only to see it jump dramatically within 24 hours and then again the next day. Australians are asking, 'Where is the government?' From where they're standing, it feels like no-one is in charge. This isn't just a fuel issue; it is a cost-of-living crisis and it is supercharged. The country is running on empty, literally. Labor's response, instead of fixing the problem, is to have a tsar, because apparently when the energy minister fails you don't solve the crisis; you rename it and move it on to someone else. You rebrand it and you outsource it. The appointment of this tsar is a glowing, flashing neon sign that says, 'The energy minister is not doing his job.' We have a government scrambling. Brisbane Electorate: Social Cohesion 85 10:38 Ms JARRETT 298574 Brisbane Brisbane is home to a diverse, multicultural community where more than 31 per cent of our residents are born overseas and more than 200 languages are spoken. Our city is a vibrant mix of cultural influences reflected in the various foods, festivals and neighbourhoods. These last few weeks our community has celebrated Lunar New Year, Lent, Ramadan and Eid and, in the coming weeks, we will gather for Easter and Passover. Listening to community members and hearing their stories as they share their traditions is a great part of being a member of parliament. But, while Brisbane is a vibrant and inclusive community, not everyone feels safe and valued. Last Friday I joined the Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs to visit the Brisbane synagogue to hear from members of our Jewish community. It is an understatement, to say the least, that it's been a very difficult time for that community. The Bondi attack was a stern test of our national character, and, as always, Australians have responded with the best of our national character by working together and putting an arm around each other. However, that community still feels scared, and they feel they cannot be themselves. There is more work to do, and the royal commission will be an important guide to that. But in this country no-one should be fearful of who they are, and we must do everything we can to stop fear and hatred from becoming permanent. Australia clearly is stronger because of our multiculturalism. Our diversity has created opportunities that other countries envy. That's why I will always show up to listen and advocate for every community in Brisbane. Our differences are not something to tolerate; they are something to celebrate. I also visited the north-side mosque in Lutwyche to meet the imam and the executive committee members and to wish them a joyful Eid. We talked about the Islam faith being grounded in compassion and kindness, how many members of the community who now call Australia home are here to build a better life, and, importantly, that no matter what faith you follow, you should be able to worship and practice your beliefs without fear. The mosque has been a part of the Lutwyche community for over 45 years, and it's a big part of the local community. They hold open days for locals to come and visit and to get to know their congregation. They also use an adjoining park to put on community events and many religious events. In fact, the morning I was there with Minister Hill, they had hosted over 2,000 people to mark the end of Ramadan. I believe that Australia is at its best when we choose unity, compassion and care for one another, and we must always seek out ways to support our neighbours, our friends and our community. One of my aims as the member for Brisbane is to build a more harmonious and inclusive community. Social weakness is really distinguished by ignorance, intolerance and individualism, but social strength is just as strong when we accept differences and when we celebrate what makes us unique, and we're stronger when we stand together. International Relations: Australia and Europe 85 10:42 Ms McKENZIE 124514 Flinders This week we have spent much time in discussion of Australia's relationship with Europe, one in which I've had a deep interest for almost 40 years. I lived in France in my teens and studied in Germany in my 20s, and in this way I say France got a piece of my heart and Germany a piece of my head sufficiently early for both places to feel a bit like home. In both lands I developed a fascination for language and for culture, and, as so many Australians know, speaking another language is a door to curiosity and tolerance—a magical power to stand in different shoes and to sit comfortably with diversity. Those experiences also made me profoundly grateful for home—Australia's egalitarian spirit, its levelling self-deprecation, its spectacular generosity and good humour, its bounteous beauty and the vastness of our breathtaking landscapes. This week we took a moment to reflect on Australia's most enduring and consequential relationship—that is, our relationship with Europe, built on a shared history, shared sacrifice and a shared future vision of what democracy ought to look like. We are the proud custodian of the longest uninterrupted culture on earth. But the story of modern Australia began in the traditions, the languages, legal systems and faiths of our European founders and the generations which followed. Europe's gratitude to Australia is profound and still practised daily. When the world descended into catastrophe in 1914, Australia answered Europe's call. Of our less than five million Australians at the time, we sent 416,000 to war, and 60,000 never came home. Thousands remain lost in the mud of the Western Front and in the skies over France and Belgium. Recently I walked through the Commonwealth war graves in Ypres with Angus Campbell. You cannot get a better guide. Angus was born in Rosebud Hospital, a man of the peninsula who has served our nation in war and in peace and now serves as our ambassador in the European Union. We are still sending our best to Europe to serve. Today's relationship between Australia and Europe is mature and multifaceted. We are united by democratic values, the rule of law and a belief in the fundamental dignity of the individual. We are trading partners, research collaborators and together contribute to international institutions which, despite their many imperfections, remain worth defending and reforming. We share today's battles not just in Ukraine but in rebuilding a rules based international order, resisting those who test boundaries and fighting against economic coercion, foreign interference and extremism. Our region is no longer peripheral to European strategic thinking. As I saw on a recent trip to NATO, what happens in our sphere of influence affects global trade and stability, and Europe now understands this. The ties between Australia and Europe are old and deep, forged in the crucible of shared loss and renewed through decades of shared prosperity. This week, we remembered we have rebuilt shattered civilisations together before and, in the future, we can meet the defining tests of this century. Trade with European Union 86 10:45 Ms LAWRENCE 299150 Hasluck At a time when the global economy is becoming more fragmented, it is more important than ever for the government to take advantage of opportunities for growth and long-term partnerships. The trade agreement between Australia and the European Union is not just another deal. It is a strategic partnership with one of the world's largest and most stable markets, worth a staggering $10 billion a year for the Australian economy. Back home in Hasluck, this translates to opportunity, income and jobs for local businesses and local families. In the Swan Valley, we are home to generations of growers and winemakers who have built their livelihoods over decades. Pioneers like the Yukich family at Nikola Estate have been producing wine since 1929. This agreement removes barriers to allow them to export into Europe. For Hasluck, it means lower tariffs, better access and a fairer shot at competing in a global market. It means Swan Valley growers can expand their reach, grow their businesses and invest in the future with greater confidence. And it's not just wine. Across agriculture—beef, sheep, meat, nuts, fruit, olive oil—Australian producers will benefit from the reduced barriers and expanded quotas. That translates directly into jobs, investments and stronger regional communities and economies, including Hasluck. But the significance of this agreement goes beyond economics. In a world of growing uncertainty, who we trade with matters. The European Union shares Australia's commitment to high standards on labour, on the environment and on the rule of law. This agreement strengthens ties with trusted partners and anchors Australia in a network of like-minded economies. It is, quite simply, about resilience. And yet, at a time when 27 European nations have come together to back this partnership, we see hesitation at home. Instead of matching that cooperation, the Liberals and the National Party have chosen to seed doubt and play politics over progress. In Hasluck, people expect better than that. They expect us to back our local industries in Hazelmere and Bayswater. They expect us to support our local growers and businesses in the Swan Valley. They expect us to land trade deals in their interests, as we have with the UK, with India, with the UAE and now with the EU, just to name a few. No trade deal is ever perfect, but the test is whether it advances Australia's national interest. This one does. It opens doors for exporters, for workers and for future industries. It ensures Australia remains outward-looking, competitive and connected in a changing world. And, for Hasluck, it delivers real opportunity where it matters most. So I say to the opposition: get on board and back in Australian businesses and interests. And to my German colleagues who are here in Australia this week, I thank you for your support. Our relationship continues to go from strength to strength. Fisher, Ross Thomas 87 10:48 Mr LLEW O'BRIEN 265991 Wide Bay Thanks, Deputy Speaker—and it's great to see you back in the chair after your maternity leave. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 144732 Thank you. Mr LLEW O'BRIEN 265991 Noosa and its surf lifesaving community lost a passionate advocate in November last year, with the passing of Ross Thomas Fisher. Ross was a good friend to so many, including me, and he spent his life helping others. Ross and his wife, Suzette, moved to the Sunshine Coast from New Zealand in the 1980s. They settled in Noosa—for the coastal lifestyle—where they raised their children and operated an electrical appliance and services business. Ross joined the Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club in 1989, where he served in a range of roles, including many years as patrol captain, before he became president in 2016. In early 2025, Ross stepped down after nine years as president of the club, leaving a legacy that will continue to resonate through the surf lifesaving community for years to come. Ross was instrumental in establishing the Beach to Bush surf education program, which gave Indigenous children from Cherbourg the opportunity to visit Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club to enjoy the beach and learn water safety skills. The Cherbourg Beach to Bush partnership has been running since 2018, and Ross would regularly travel to Murgon and Cherbourg, where he taught lifesaving skills in the pool before students participated in the program by travelling to Noosa for their beach education, swimming and surf activities. Ross was a man of many talents. He was chair of the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club's sponsorship committee and had been involved in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation's Surf Safe Noosa campaign since its inception in 2021. A member of Noosa Rotary for more than 36 years, Ross was club president in 1994 and 1995 and received one of Rotary International's highest honours when he was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow in 2008 and 2009. From the time I was first elected to parliament in 2016, through the many sponsor breakfasts and events where we met over the years, it was always an absolute pleasure to work with Ross. His dedication, commitment and passion shone through in everything he did. I know that Ross is sorely missed, and I extend my condolences to his wife, Suzette, and their family. Rest in peace, Ross Fisher. Leichhardt Electorate: Health Care 87 10:50 Mr MATT SMITH 312393 Leichhardt Seven to 11 Mount Milman Drive, Smithfield—that is the address of the brand new urgent care clinic open for the north of Cairns. This election commitment was brought about by the people of Cairns and an army of volunteers who went door to door with a petition calling on the north of Cairns to grab an urgent care clinic. This is democracy in action. The people called for it, we were able to commit it and now we have delivered. What was really rewarding was the amount of volunteers who would come out in the tropical heat—and the heat in a Far North Queensland summer is not to be trifled with—and, through the heat, the humidity and the rain, go door to door saying, 'Can we grab an urgent care clinic for the northern suburbs of Cairns?' It's important, and the reason it's important is once again our North Queensland weather. The northern suburbs of Cairns can pull from Mossman and Kuranda. We know that people were travelling from those places all the way down to Edmonton for their urgent care, but now they only have to go as far as Smithfield. We also found that during Tropical Cyclone Jasper, and, with the severity of these weather events, sometimes the highway gets cut off. Now we have the ability to get quick care, urgent care, right close to home without having to traverse a flooded highway to get to the emergency department. Over 39,000 people have attended the urgent care clinic in south Cairns. That's 39,000 people that didn't wind up waiting in ED, taking pressure off the Cairns base hospital. I know that the doctors, nurses and admin staff there are very grateful for that to be taken off their plates. We expect similar numbers to come through the north of Cairns. This has been a really proud moment, not just for me but for all of the volunteers involved, who went out, got those signatures and can now see the fruits of their labour. It has been a very rewarding time in Cairns. Additionally— (Time expired) The DEPUTY SPEAKER 144732 In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS 87 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Better and Fairer Schools Agreement 87 10:53 Ms RYAN 249224 Lalor I rise to speak today on the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. Twelve months ago, our minister, Jason Clare, announced that we had all states and territories signed on for the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, a 10-year agreement that fixes public schools' funding once and for all. I want to talk about this today because it's something close to my heart. It's close to my heart as an educator. It's close to my heart as a former principal. It is closer to my heart as the member for Lalor, because I've spent the last 13 years here in the federal parliament, having left schools, and in that time I watched the former coalition government let down my community and let down public schools across this nation. This sets that right. This agreement means that I can be assured that the private schools in my electorate will no longer be funded more generously by the Commonwealth. Where that was happening in some of our private schools locally, I now know that that student resource standard is going to be met in my public schools. I'm going to know that, in all the schools in Lalor, every student is being supported as was envisaged with the Gonski review into school funding. Nothing could be more important than this, because education not only shapes lives but transforms lives. As the member for Lalor I need the certainty that all students in the schools in my electorate are getting their fair share of the resources and also getting resourced to a level that will see them all get the same opportunities. That's what's critically important. For the parents watching at home, this is about what we call the Schooling Resource Standard. This is set as a minimum standard, a minimum funding level for every student. It is set at the estimated level of total public funding that each school should receive to meet the educational needs of its students. At the moment, the base per-student amount is $14,467 for a child in primary school and $18,180 for a child in high school. On top of that, there should be funding that goes to loading—loading that's contextualised around need, around location, around school size, around socio-educational disadvantage, around Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students and around students with a disability. It means students from those priority equity cohorts attract additional funding above the base amount, and that varies from school to school. That means that now, in 2025, public school students receive, on average, about $21,376 in SRS funding. That is not met fully by the Commonwealth. But what has happened here is that something that had been set in stone by those opposite has now been removed. Those opposite left government providing certainty for private schools and doubt for public schools, a system where private schools could be assured of 100 per cent of their Student Resource Standard from the Commonwealth while public schools were left with a cap of only 20 per cent allowed from the Commonwealth under law. In no-one's mind was this seen as something that was fair across the country. It left doubt for public schools and for states and territories, because those states and territories weren't guaranteed or given certainty around the level of funding that was going to be provided by the Commonwealth, because they were told they would be left to do all the heavy lifting. In doing this, those opposite baked in disadvantage. They undermined our universal education system. They tried to create hard class barriers that would have meant that, as a society, whether you went to a public or a private school would become a determinant of how far you would go in life. Make no mistake: this was not an accident; this was planned, and it was implemented by the former government. I want to make sure everyone at home knows where they can find all this information. If you go to the Commonwealth's My School website you can have a look at all our local schools. You can see how they're funded, who they're funded by and the levels of funding. You can also see their performance against the NAPLAN standards, not just as a raw fix of what happened at that school but also where they sit in terms of advantage and disadvantage and therefore what value adding they're doing in their classrooms. I can tell you, as the proud member for Lalor, that we have public schools kicking way above their weight, doing extraordinary work, with students making two-plus years of progress in the classrooms in our community. So I'd encourage everybody at home to look at that. Obviously a question I'm often asked is, 'Which school should I send my child to?' I am often asked that in my community, and my advice to those parents is always the same: 'Go onto the My School website and check out our local schools'—check out the funding models; you can see all of that information. You can also see how those schools are travelling, how they're progressing and how they're value adding or not for local families and local students. So I want to make sure our community is informed about these things. I want to make sure our community understand that this government has the back of every child in our community and, most importantly, every teacher in our school systems, and it has a clear intention for education to improve; it has commitments. We have committed to increasing the proportion of students leaving school with a year 12 certificate to 83.8 per cent, up from 76.3 per cent in 2022. This would be the highest rate of year 12 certification ever achieved. Under those opposite, guess what happened? Retention rates in schools dropped. That means fewer students finished year 12. Numbers dropped dramatically. They're on their way back under a Labor government, as I would have expected. We're going to increase the proportion of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people aged 20 to 24 attaining year 12 or an equivalent qualification to 96 per cent by 2031. We are setting targets to measure our performance and our schools' performance against. We're going to reduce the proportion of students in the 'needs additional support' NAPLAN category for reading and numeracy by 10 per cent and increase those in the 'strong' and 'exceeding' categories by 10 per cent by 2030. Again, that's a real, hard, fast target. We're setting a target to raise the student attendance rate to pre-COVID levels, up from 88.6 per cent in 2023. The target is to get that to 91.4 per cent. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement is truly an Australian effort. It comes together with the contribution of different levels of government, First Nations education representatives and independent education bodies. The reforms are key in achieving the Labor government's tertiary education target, ensuring that 80 per cent of the workforce have a university degree or TAFE qualification by 2050, because that's what this country needs us to do. The reforms will increase transparency for taxpayer funds and their distribution into bettering the education system. We're going to support our teachers to do the things that they and we as a government know will make a difference in our classrooms. We're going to support school leaders to do that work. We're going to support every school in the country to do the best by our students. But, most importantly, we have we are righting a wrong—a wrong done under the previous government—that baked class systems into our education system, something that I know most Australians would never, ever want to see. I know that most Australians believe that our universal health system and our universal education system are the most important aspects of our egalitarian society, worth defending in every suburb, in every country town and in this place every day. 11:02 Dr GARLAND 295588 Chisholm Education changes lives. I spoke about this in my very first speech. I spoke about both the impact on my own family's life that education had had and of my deep commitment to ensuring that all children can access a great education in this country and the opportunities that that education provides. As a great education can change individual lives, a great education system changes countries. We are seeing this in Australia now due to our Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. I see this in my visits to our terrific classrooms in Chisholm, my electorate. When a child learns to read, their world opens. When a teenager finishes school, their future expands. And when a government invests in education at the forefront of its agenda, it invests in the country's future, prosperity and equality. This week marks one year since every state and territory made a very important investment through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement—an investment not just about now but about the future of this country. For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, every government in Australia committed to putting public schools on a path to full and fair funding because, when it comes to investment in our children, funding should not be discriminatory. We should also be very proud of the legacy Australia and the states had, pre-federation, in establishing public education. It's the vision that Australia has always had about being fair and providing opportunity for all. We want every child to have every opportunity to thrive and harness the power of education and knowledge. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement represents the largest investment ever by an Australian government in public education. It means an additional $16.5 billion over the next decade and then another $50 billion in the decade after that. This isn't just about expenditure. It's about nation building. We know that funding alone is not enough and that it's how we utilise that funding that matters. That's why this agreement ties investment to evidence based reform that helps children catch up, keep up and finish school and that supports teachers and educators. I really want to thank all of the teachers, support staff and educators for the work that they do each and every single day in all of our schools, including in our public schools in Victoria. We want reform that ensures no child is held back and no child is left behind just because of their postcode or what school they attend. One year on from this agreement, we are already starting to see great results. School attendance is going back up. After falling under the previous government from 93 per cent to 86 per cent, attendance is now improving again, having risen to nearly 89 per cent in 2025. We are seeing early improvements in NAPLAN results, with more students reaching the highest level of proficiency. This is really encouraging and this matters because, when children are in school, they learn and, when they learn, they succeed and find out who they want to be and how they can contribute to our shared Australian story. We're also seeing more young Australians finish school. In 2025, 12,000 more students completed high school than in the year before, so that means 12,000 more futures have been opened, that more opportunities have been created and that there are more ways that people can contribute to their neighbours and their society. We're also seeing more people choosing to become teachers. I've got a lot of teachers in my family. I know what a fine profession it is. I know how hard the work can be at times, and it's really encouraging to see people wanting to take that step and pursue this very important career. After years of decline under the former coalition governments, where education policy kept chopping and changing—it was very inconsistent—we saw a 22 per cent drop in students choosing to study education. But now, in 2026, the numbers are rising again for the third year in a row, and that's because the Albanese Labor government understands that, if we want a great education system, we need great teachers. I'm sure everyone in this House can recall a teacher in their life who had a huge effect on them. We need to support great teachers, and that's exactly what this agreement does. It invests in evidence based teaching, ensuring teachers have the tools that work. It supports early intervention, like phonics and numeracy checks, so we can identify problems before they grow. It funds small-group tutoring so no student falls permanently behind, and it strengthens wellbeing support so students are ready to learn. Education is not just about the classroom and academics. It's about building our children up as Australians, which means building up their confidence, providing opportunity and making sure they're treated with dignity. Fairness is the foundation of this agreement, and, for too long, not every school in Australia has been funded to the level that it needs. That disadvantage has influenced outcomes. It's meant people haven't been able to access the opportunities that every Australian deserves. This agreement changes that. It puts every public school on a path to full and fair funding. It closes the gap and it ensures that a child's future is not determined by their postcode. Talent is in our children and our educators everywhere in this country, and opportunity should be too. The benefits of getting this right are enormous. When students finish year 12, they earn more—about 20 per cent more over their lifetime. When more young people succeed, our economy grows. This is good for all of us. In fact, lifting completion rates could add $65 billion to the economy by 2050. So it's not just about education policy. This is about economic policy. It's about social policy. This is how we build Australia's future, a better future, which is the sentiment behind every single decision that the Albanese Labor government has made. Amongst all of this, though, it's important to recognise that we're not quite there yet in terms of achieving what we can in this space. There is still more work to do, and that's why this agreement is not a quick fix. It's a 10-year plan, and it's a plan to lift literacy and numeracy, improve attendance and increase year 12 completion. It's also a plan to build a stronger, more sustainable teaching workforce. Most importantly, it's a plan to deliver real results, not just promises, as we've seen under previous governments. Importantly, we're measuring progress here. We're reporting progress. We're holding ourselves accountable. This agreement operates in conjunction with our other education reforms—whether that be paid prac placements for teaching students, making the HECS system fairer or investing in infrastructure—so parents can see the difference, teachers can feel the difference, and students can live the difference and harness the power of education every day. At the heart of all of this is the idea that every child deserves a great education—not just some children but every child. When we get the settings right, when we make sure that every child has the chance to succeed, we don't just change lives; we change the country. A good education changes lives. We're building something really big here: a great education system, one that builds a fairer society and one that secures Australia's future—a better future. Debate adjourned. STATEMENTS ON SIGNIFICANT MATTERS 90 STATEMENTS ON SIGNIFICANT MATTERS Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme 90 11:12 Mr HOLZBERGER 88411 Forde I rise to make a statement in regard to the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, and, in some ways, the finalisation of what has been a truly harrowing process for individuals involved in this. The country really saw a situation where a government conducted an illegal enterprise. There is no other way to describe what they did other than 'illegal'. In fact, the royal commission found that robodebt was a cruel and crude mechanism that was neither fair nor legal, and it made many people feel like criminals. In essence, people were traumatised on the off chance that they might owe money. It was a costly failure of public administration in both human and economic terms. It was something that I was involved with at the time, prior to being elected to here. Even though I like to remind people that I had a life outside of politics, being a station hand and working construction, I did work for a senator for a few years before I got elected, just as the robodebt enterprise was starting to have its effects felt out in the community. It was something that I was trying to help people with as an electorate officer through a very complicated process where we were just stonewalled by the department and the government at the time. Some of the human consequences of that are what need to be kept in mind when we talk about this. It's something that I was familiar with, and I just went back to the royal commission itself and came across a statement of a woman who I haven't met before but who would be well-known to the community: Kathleen Madgwick. She has turned tragedy into purpose and has fought hard for vulnerable people as they come up against government departments, particularly Centrelink. The tragedy was the worst kind. It involved the suicide of her 23-year-old son, Jarrad. These two Queenslanders, who were originally from Victoria, settled in Tin Can Bay and Mackay. I'll read out a bit of Kathleen's testimony, which she gave to royal commission. She provided a written submission to the royal commission. Jarrad had been through a lot. He'd been through a lot with Centrelink, I should say, trying to sort out a payment. He'd worked a bit on and off. It got to the point where she thought that it had finally been resolved and he was going to get a payment. They were living together at this time. Here's a bit of the letter I will quote: 'It was that in one afternoon in May 2019, Jarrad seemed happier. He was in his bedroom listening to music, and I remember him talking about joining the Army, which was a plan he had for his future. At about 4.45 that same afternoon, I remember that Jarrad came out of his room and said to me something like, "I'm not going to get paid, because I owe them $2,000, and I'll never get out of debt." He was very upset. He was talking about a debt that he had to DHS. This was the first time that I'd heard him say anything about a debt to DHS. At around 5 pm that same evening, Jarrad came out of his room. He'd been working on a cover letter for a job application at a meatworks. He asked me what I thought about his cover letter, and, as I read it, I saw he'd written something that I thought wasn't really appropriate for the job. I gave him some feedback, knowing that he'd written it in the afternoon while he was frustrated with DHS, but he started swearing at me, saying—and I won't quote the full thing—"What the F do you know?" We exchanged words and he went back to his room. It was not usual for him to swear at me like that, and I was annoyed by it. I thought I'd let him cool down, so I left him alone. When we went out that night, at around 6.45 pm, I believed he was going for a walk to clear his head. At around 7.30 pm that night, I got a text from Jarrad saying, "I love you." I was glad to receive this text, as I thought it had meant he had calmed down. The next morning I woke up and saw that Jarrad wasn't home. I sent him a text, rang him, and sent him a message on social media, but I received no response. I was starting to get worried, as it was not like him to not respond for an extended period of time. I called Queensland police on 31 May, and they said they'd start looking for him. I took some comfort from that and resigned myself to waiting to hear from Jarrad. Queensland police rang me at around 6.45 am the next day, and I jumped at the phone call, but they were only calling to say they hadn't started looking for Jarrad yet. I told QPS that I couldn't wait because I was really concerned now. It had been a whole day and night since I'd heard from him. I set off walking shortly after that phone call. I remember thinking that I would go over to the park, thinking that he might be hiding out there. I took Jarrad's dog, Cooper, with me on my walk. As I went down into the bushes and into the park, I saw in the corner of my eye what I thought was a jumper in a tree. As I got closer, I saw that it was Jarrad. He had hung himself. In the days following Jarrad's death, I tormented myself thinking about the fight we'd had about his cover letter. I felt like a bad mother. As time went by, I came to realise that his suicide was not because of our argument. We disagreed in the past over minor things and this was one such disagreement. While Jarrad had been struggling with money and felt the pressure of bills that he had to pay, I do not believe he had been living with suicidal intent for an extended period of time. We had been at the beach a day before his death and he had been caught in a rip while out swimming. When he had saved himself and got back to shore, he expressed to me how disappointed he was at his level of fitness and spoke about how keen he was to get fit again as part of his plan for the future. I believe that the pressure of Jarrad's financial situation and going from thinking he was getting a payment after initially being rejected to believing that he was not going to receive any money for some time flipped a switch for him. I do not believe that his debt was the only thing that bothered him. It was a confluence of factors, with the debt from Centrelink being the final thing that made him feel like he couldn't go on.' In some ways, I feel like I should sit down now, because no message is as powerful as Kathleen Madgwick, a one-time resident of Mackay. But I think that the work that she's doing needs to be acknowledged along with how important it is that government services are there to do the job which they're supposed to do. One thing that this government has done over the last almost four years that we've been in government is restore integrity and capacity to the Public Service. It is something which is not abstract at all when you think about Kathleen and Jarrad. It's about something which has a vitally significant impact on individuals' lives, whether it is the 41,000 veterans who are waiting for their claims to be assessed, the mess that we were left with in the NDIS or the Public Service that was run down and, I think, resulted in the death of Jarrad and resulted in the underselling of so many Australians and their abilities. 11:22 Dr RYAN 297660 Kooyong Robodebt was the largest failure of public administration in Australia's history. Two weeks ago, on 11 March 2026, the National Anti-Corruption Commission released its investigation into Robodebt. Unfortunately, the clearest takeaway from this investigation is that our federal integrity commission has been a profound disappointment and that steps have to be taken as a matter of urgency to restore public trust in our most public facing anticorruption agency. The origins of the NACC's investigation into Robodebt only reinforced that disappointment—disappointment in the effectiveness of the NACC, in its integrity and its transparency and in its leadership. In 2023, the Robodebt royal commission referred six individuals to the NACC to determine whether they engaged in corrupt conduct. At the time, the commissioner, Major General Paul Brereton AM, declared a conflict of interest. Recognising that he should not be involved in decision-making, he delegated his powers to his deputy commissioners and appeared to recuse himself from the inquiry. Nearly a year later, the NACC made the extraordinary decision not to investigate the 'Robodebt Six', suggesting that the conduct of the individuals involved had been fully ventilated by the royal commission. That decision prompted more than 1,200 public complaints, including many from the electorate that I represent, many highlighting the lack of accountability and the breach of public trust that this finding represented. In the wake of a royal commission which effectively and with transparency exposed dishonest, secret and unlawful conduct, the NACC's decision sent a woeful, incredibly disappointing message to the victims of the robodebt scheme. Worse still, the NACC inspector later found that the commissioner, despite his prior declaration of a conflict of interest, had been involved in this decision. In doing so, the supposed custodian of public trust had himself engaged in officer misconduct. Unfortunately, the commission's leadership continues to be marred by controversy. Just last month, it was announced that the office of the inspector would undertake a second investigation into complaints of officer misconduct in relation to Mr Brereton's involvement with the Australian Defence Force. The NACC is not delivering on its promise. Public confidence has been eroded, and its credibility has been weakened. This is not the National Anti-Corruption Commission that Australia envisaged when, in 2022, I and other Independents who had called for it and advocated for it were elected. My constituents still believe that the NACC can be an institution for public good, that it can be the strong and independent watchdog that Australians were promised. But that's not going to happen if we don't restore confidence in its leadership and if we don't significantly change how it interfaces with the Australian public. Mr Brereton was appointed as a commissioner for a five-year term. That should not be a shield from accountability. When public trust has been so clearly damaged, this parliament should not just wait for time to pass and hope that that confidence will return. Section 250 of the NACC Act 2022 provides for the termination of a NACC commissioner for misbehaviour or incapacity. I call on the government to consider this. I also call on the government to consider reforming section 250 of the NACC Act to ensure automatic removal of a NACC commissioner in the event that he or she is found to have engaged in corrupt conduct. And I call on the government to legislate so that future such investigations of the NACC are, by default, undertaken with open hearings. The act currently allows the commissioner to determine whether hearings are held in public or in private based on a broad public interest test. This discretion has been overwhelmingly exercised in favour of privacy. That has to change. The first and most important reform is structural. We have to have a legislative presumption in favour of public hearings, with private proceedings reserved for specific and genuine exceptions. There are legitimate reasons which we've discussed in this place many times—national security, witness protection, active law enforcement operations—for some proceedings needing to be held in private. But they should be the exception, not the default. The power of sunlight is not just symbolic. Research consistently shows that transparency in public integrity bodies increases deterrence. When the highest profile, most publicly anticipated matter before the commission was heard behind closed doors—despite the victims, the advocates and journalists calling for transparency—that sent a message to those affected by robodebt. It sent a message that that commission is not so different from the other government institutions that they very justifiably mistrust. The NACC has to become more outward facing. Its website, its referral processes and its public communications should be designed for the public, not for lawyers. And it has to have a greater interface with and acceptance of referrals from whistleblowers. The failures of the NACC leadership have diverted time and attention away from the matters that it was established to investigate. For almost three years, 56 pages of the robodebt royal commission's final report were kept secret as the NACC stalled on the need for further investigation and possible referrals. Now the final NACC report has found insufficient evidence to prove unlawful behaviour beyond reasonable doubt. Those findings of the NACC are beyond disappointing. Of the robodebt six, two were found to have engaged in misconduct. But the others, despite being intimately involved in the design and implementation of robodebt, were effectively exonerated. Commentators have suggested that they demonstrate a failure of the NACC to apply rigorous standards. Corruption—as we saw in public office, as we saw in the case of the illegal robodebt scheme—is not a victimless crime. Robodebt was not victimless; there were many victims. The real cost of the NACC's inability to investigate effectively is being borne by those Australians whose lives were destroyed by robodebt: families who were wrongfully pursued, individuals who were left financially and emotionally traumatised, and citizens whose trust in government was shattered. The NACC's failure to hold those responsible to account leaves those Australians without justice and leaves the broader public with a troubling message that those in our seats of power are afforded more procedural fairness than everyday Australians. Those concerns are now being compounded and escalated by the government's increasing use of automated assessment tools in aged care and disability care. We're seeing it again. The government seems to have learnt nothing from this very recent lesson, and it seems inevitable that without change we are doomed to repeat those errors of the past. We need to legislate guardrails for how our Public Service uses automated decision-making tools before we cause the same sort of harm to Australians in the disability and aged-care sectors that we've already inflicted on them with robodebt. We can't allow the legacy of robodebt to be one of grief, silence and impunity. The victims of that scheme deserve recognition, accountability and redress. Any institution that claims to protect public integrity can never lose sight of the individuals that it exists to serve. That is why I'm calling on the government to institute new leadership of our integrity watchdog and to review very carefully the legislative settings around the NACC, to increase the extent to which it's outward facing and to increase its transparency. We have to restore faith in this critical body, and we can do that only by demonstrating real commitment to its transparency and its effectiveness. Sunlight is still the very best medicine, and we need the NACC to provide sunlight on the dealings of our government and of our Public Service. 11:31 Ms CLUTTERHAM 316101 Sturt I'll just start by acknowledging the contribution of my friend the member for Forde, who spoke before the member for Kooyong, and thank him for his courage in sharing the moving and horrific story of Jarrad, which illustrates the significant harm that was caused to Australians through the robodebt scheme. As we heard from the member for Forde, some of that harm cannot be undone. Lives were lost or destroyed because of robodebt. To say it was a gross failure of public administration is an understatement. It was a catastrophic failure. Its design and implementation meant it was always going to be a failure because of the lens through which it was created. It always considered the social safety net to be a problematic burden, a burden on the economy and something to be eliminated. It also always considered those who used the social safety net to be rorters—people who were lazy, actively avoiding work and looking to take advantage of public funds just because they could, like new mothers, who were accused of being 'double dippers'. People using the broad social safety net in this country and who were victims of robodebt were treated like criminals. Budget control and debt reduction are important, but there are ways to achieve this without grouping together individual Australians using the social safety net under the umbrella of 'rorters', 'dodgy welfare recipients' or 'bludgers'. Finding savings in the budget doesn't have to exclusively mean cutting services, reducing support and targeting vulnerable Australians in the hope that they lack sufficient agency and resources to challenge what has happened to them. That is what robodebt did. It was lazy budget control—'No other ideas to reform the budget? No problem. Vulnerable Australians are available.' Robodebt found a group of vulnerable people that were considered easy targets, and the architects of the scheme hoped that they wouldn't say anything or speak up. Now we know that some of them can no longer speak up because they are no longer with us. People's lives have been destroyed, in many cases irreparably. The human impacts of robodebt look like this—families struggling to make ends meet receiving a debt notice at Christmas, young people being driven to despair by demands for payment and, horribly, the account of a young man's suicide. This can never happen again and, thanks to many stakeholders, but especially the countless victims who tirelessly advocated for themselves and others, it won't. The reality is that the social safety net is designed to provide a basic level of financial and social support to individuals and families in need, helping to alleviate poverty and prevent economic hardship. Social safety nets play a critical part in reducing income inequality by helping to ensure a minimum standard of living for low-income individuals and families. An effective social safety net can help to break the poverty trap by providing resources and support to individuals and families, enabling them to access opportunities and improve their economic situation, because, even in this great and successful country, not everyone has the same opportunity to contribute, to access paid work or to work as much as they want to. Illness, disability, accidents or acting as a carer for others—things no-one wishes for—sometimes intervene to limit the contribution an individual can make. Sometimes it's simply a case of lightning striking, meaning that access to a fair and effective social safety net is critically important. It's also important, however, to strike that balance between the optimal level of government intervention to provide support and the promotion of agency and individual self-reliance. But seeking help when help is genuinely needed is not rorting, is not dodgy; it's the human story. As the royal commission found, robodebt was a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal, and it made many people feel like criminals. In essence, people were traumatised on the off-chance that they might owe money. It was a costly failure of public administration in both human and economic terms. From 2016 to 2019, the robodebt scheme raised more than half a million inaccurate Centrelink debts through a method of income averaging, which has since been ruled unlawful. Debts were imposed on Australians who then had to prove that they didn't owe them. This required them to hunt down old payslips and bank statements, which was a time-consuming and stressful process, rife with confusion and anxiety—heightened when Centrelink sent debt collectors or garnished their payments without their knowledge. Beyond the burden of repaying debts, the scheme caused an incalculable amount of stress and hardship for thousands of Australians, created by a government system that was meant to support and protect them. Following the royal commission into the robodebt scheme, the Albanese Labor government accepted all 56 of the royal commission's recommendations for reform and has so far implemented 52 of them, with the implementation of the final four underway and noting that three remaining recommendations require legislative reform. One of the recommendations from the report of the royal commission touched on the effects of robodebt on individuals and recommended that policies and processes under the auspices of Services Australia have a primary emphasis on the recipients the services are meant to support. This recommendation speaks to the human element of needing support, including the need to avoid language and conduct that reinforces feelings of stigma and shame associated with the receipt of government support when it is needed, including explaining processes clearly and in plan language and taking all practicable steps to avoid the possibility that interactions with the government might exacerbate those stresses or introduce new ones. The Albanese governments 'tell us once' policy is, for example, designed to streamline government interactions for individuals who are accessing the social safety net. Other critical recommendations include having improved and clear dispute resolution and complaint processes so that affected individuals understand the decisions being made and have a much greater awareness of their rights and how to activate them, with Services Australia now required to refer them to adequately resourced legal and non-legal services as necessary and also to financial counsellors and community legal centres and legal aid commissions. Another recommendation was having Services Australia staff, including executive staff, trained in and spending time in frontline roles so they can interact with vulnerable Australians and gain a greater appreciation of the social safety net and why people access it—the human stories. This was another key recommendation because, for a system to work fairly, it must be accurate and adequately resourced with properly trained staff and high-quality services that are responsive to an individual's need. 'Computer says no' must not be the default way every time. Improved safeguards, transparency and oversight must keep the social security system in check and include human led oversight mechanisms for any automated decision-making processes. This is because humans are unique. Their needs are unique. Recognising and reflecting this is critical to ensuring the fairness and adequacy of services, because, if services are provided but they are inadequate or not appropriately tailored, then they don't advance, improve or eliminate the adverse position of the affected individual. It leads to repeat inquiries, the use of duplicate resources and, ultimately, more unnecessary cost to the Australian taxpayer. Finally, the government has also reached agreement on what will be the largest class action settlement in Australian history if approved by the Federal Court. This would see the Commonwealth pay $475 million as compensation for the harms caused by the robodebt scheme. The size of this settlement reflects the harm caused to vulnerable Australians by the heartless and disastrous policies of the former Liberal government. It is not only a reflection of the Albanese Labor government's determination to address the harms caused by the robodebt scheme but an illustration of this government's approach to integrity and transparency with respect to the provision of public services. 11:41 Ms CHANEY 300006 Curtin I want to start by sending my condolences to the thousands of Australians who were wrongly pursued under robodebt, which will remain a very dark stain on our history. Robodebt didn't happen because of a couple of bad actors. It happened because a culture of compliance replaced a culture of integrity, and ministers and departments prioritised budget outcomes over human lives. The NACC's findings lay bare the limits to its ability to deliver justice to those impacted by robodebt, especially in the absence of public hearings, and the lack of criminal referrals provides cold comfort to the hundreds of thousands of Australians who were wrongly pursued by robodebt, particularly the families who lost loved ones. This has left the families who have fought tirelessly for the truth for the last nine years pretty devastated. The simple truth is that robodebt was an unlawful system introduced to improve a government's bottom line by punching down on some of the most vulnerable Australians. Robodebt was cruel, it was illegal and the government knew it. It was a shocking low point of unethical behaviour in the Australian Public Service. The Albanese government must learn from the mistakes of past governments, particularly when alarm bells are ringing on NDIS and aged-care assessments right now. So what can we do differently to prevent this happening again? There are a number of things, but part of what we can do is about automated decision-making. To restore trust in the Public Service, Australians deserve full transparency on how government decisions are made when their lives are affected, especially when those decisions are automated. Robodebt exposed the very real risks of automated decision-making in government. Automated decision-making, or ADM, is the use of automated technology to make decisions or assist humans to make decisions. It can be low risk. For example, the government uses ADM to automatically calculate, process and transfer your Medicare rebate after you visit the doctor. But it can also be high risk, and the use of high-risk ADM is only increasing, particularly with the growth of AI technologies. Today, automated tools are being used or proposed in complex, high-impact areas like aged care and the NDIS. In these systems, human assessments feed into automated tools that determine support packages, and in some cases human decision-makers cannot override the result, even on review. These are decisions that profoundly affect people's lives, health and dignity. Without transparency on how these systems work, there's growing concern and fear in our communities. If we fail to act, we're at risk of repeating the same pattern we saw with robodebt—different systems but the same underlying failure. The royal commission saw this clearly. Among its recommendations was the need for a clear, legislated framework governing automated decision-making in government to ensure transparency, accountability and legality. That recommendation was made nearly three years ago. Since then, there have been consultations. There are guidelines. There are policies covering some uses of artificial intelligence. But we still do not have a comprehensive, mandatory framework that applies across government, including to the kinds of rules based systems that caused robodebt in the first place. While the warning was heard, the action has not followed, and it's increasingly ridiculous to hear the government talk about the coalition's robodebt failures when it has done nothing to actually make the system better—nothing to ensure it won't happen again. That's why I'm putting forward a new idea to push the government to action on this. I'm calling for a new framework to govern the use of automated decision-making in government. This must be legislated and it must be mandatory. At its most basic level, we need a framework to ensure government decisions are safe, lawful and fair. A robust framework ensures automated systems are tested before use, appropriate to the task and governed by clear lines of accountability. It would help prevent decisions that are unlawful by design, it would ensure humans remain accountable where human judgement is required and it would create clear pathways to correct mistakes quickly before harm escalates. This is the minimum standard that Australians should expect after robodebt. It's not just about preventing harm. Automated decision-making also presents genuine opportunities. When it's designed well, it can make governments faster, more consistent and more responsive. It can reduce backlogs, it can streamline routine rules-based decisions and it can free up public servants to focus on complex cases where empathy, judgement and discretion are needed most. In a system under pressure from growing demands, constrained resources and rising expectations, these efficiencies do matter. But those benefits will only be realised if the government has the confidence to deploy automation responsibly and if the public has the confidence that it will be used fairly. Without a clear framework, departments are left to navigate these risks on their own. Some become overly cautious. Others push ahead without sufficient safeguards. A clear, legislated framework would give certainty, would allow innovation within boundaries and would support better decision-making. None of this is possible without trust. Robodebt did enormous damage to public trust in government decision-making, particularly in automated systems, and that damage has not healed on its own. I saw this clearly in my own community consultation that I undertook last week. More than 750 constituents responded to my survey about automated decision-making. More than three-quarters of respondents said they were uncomfortable with the government using automated systems to help make decisions about them. An overwhelming majority supported mandatory, legislated rules. The message was clear: people don't trust ADM. Trust is not built through slogans or assurances. It's built through transparency, accountability and meaningful rights of review. Without a framework, every new automated system will be met with scepticism and fear, no matter how well intentioned. With a framework, we can rebuild confidence and allow government to genuinely harness the benefits of responsible automation. So what does a good automated decision-making framework actually involve? Well, at a high level it needs three pillars. The first is transparency. People have a fundamental right to understand decisions that affect them, particularly when those decisions are made by machines. A strong framework requires transparency at three levels. At the system level, there should be public visibility over where automated decision-making is used. A public register of ADM systems would allow security, accountability and informed debate. At the decision level, people must be informed when an automated decision has been used in a decision about them, and this should never be hidden. And, at the explanation level, people must be given meaningful reasons for decisions in plain language. If a system cannot explain how it reached an outcome, it has no place in decisions that affect people's rights or livelihoods. Transparency is simply essential to build trust in ADM. The second pillar is strong decision-level controls. Not all decisions are the same, and a framework must be risk based. Before any automated system is deployed, its risks should be assessed. Some decisions, particularly those involving discretion, complexity or significant potential harm, may simply be inappropriate for automation. Where automation is used in high-risk contexts, clear safeguards are essential. There must be a human who's accountable for the decision and its outcomes. Responsibility cannot be delegated to an algorithm. For high-impact decisions, there must be meaningful human involvement, including the ability to override or correct an automated outcome. Automation should support decision-making, not replace responsibility. The third pillar is review and oversight. One of the most damaging aspects of robodebt was how difficult it was to challenge. When people did challenge it, the system pushed back repeatedly. A good framework ensures people can quickly raise concerns and seek review, particularly where delay could cause serious harm. It also requires ongoing monitoring and testing of automated systems so that errors are identified early, not after years of damage. Critically, there must be independent oversight. Without an independent body empowered to enforce the rules, a framework risks becoming aspirational rather than real. Independent oversight ensures compliance, accountability and continuous improvement. Rules only matter if they're followed; the robodebt scheme was unlawful at the time, but, without a well-resourced oversight body, it was left unchallenged. A new framework governing the use of ADM in government is essential and will only work if it includes strong oversight. Robodebt was a profound failure, and it's time we did something so that it doesn't happen again. We need a legislated framework for automated decision-making, and this must include requirements for transparency, strong decision-level controls and provisions for oversight and review. This framework would support the government in unlocking increased efficiency for automation and present minimal risk-based compliance requirements to departments and agencies. It would also build trust. It's time to show Australians that we've learnt from robodebt and that we're prepared to do what's needed to prevent it from happening again. ADJOURNMENT 96 ADJOURNMENT Fuel 96 11:51 Ms SHARKIE 265980 Mayo The issue that is being discussed in every house in my electorate, around every dinner table, is fuel—both the cost of fuel and whether people can access fuel. Certainly, there are many service stations in my electorate, because we have so many independent distributors. But being without fuel, or having to effectively ration the stock that they have, is causing enormous anxiety in regional Australia—whether you're a dairy farmer, a grape grower trying to get all the grapes off the vine or a broadacre farmer thinking about putting in your next crop and hoping that you're going to get some rain in April—and that's part of the reason why there is such a fear and such a need to stockpile fuel. Now, I know that the government has told people not to stockpile fuel, but, when your livelihood depends on fuel, when your livelihood depends on having that diesel, when the animals on your property depend on that diesel for their ability to survive, it is a precarious situation. That's the issue around having fuel. I know that the government's National Cabinet has been meeting regularly, including on Monday—something that, of course, I absolutely support—but there must be a strategic plan about how to get fuel to the regions. Because it's the regions that grow the food. It's the regions that feed the cities. I might just say, to those who are not growing the food, that it's not like we in regional Australia can just get up 10 minutes earlier and get on that bus or get on that train. We have very limited public transport across regional Australia, so we are reliant upon our cars, we are reliant upon our utes and we are reliant upon our generators. That is just life in regional Australia. So I would urge the government, when it meets with all of the state and territory leaders, to put the needs of regional Australia absolutely at the front of the queue with respect to fuel. We need to talk about the fuel excise. The fuel excise, with this massive increase in fuel prices at the moment, is crippling Australians. Right now, every Australian pays 52.6c in the litre in government tax for every litre of fuel they buy. On top of that, there is GST on that excise—so that's a double tax—and then GST on the whole price per litre. So, really, you could say the Australian government, between GST and fuel excise, is getting the best part of nearly a dollar for every litre of fuel. The member for Makin is looking at me inquisitively. When you take 52.6c and add the GST component of around 30c—when fuel is $3.30 a litre in many parts of Australia—we're heading to more than 80c, Member for Makin. That is just under a dollar for every litre that you buy, as far as I'm concerned. So it is a huge expense for people—again, particularly for people living in the regions, who have no other choice. The government supported the coalition when there was a halving of the fuel excise during COVID, and that had an immediate relief effect. The government did support that, when they were in opposition. At that time, I think fuel was about $1.80 a litre. In many parts of my electorate, it's well over $3 a litre. So it would just be logical that this would be a primary consideration for the government—that we look to address the fuel excise and provide that immediate relief to families right now. I know the government said: 'Look, we're providing tax cuts in the middle of the year. We do provide support for child care.' How does that help a pensioner or an unemployed person? They're not getting those tax cuts. If you're a pensioner, you're probably not putting a child in child care. So I say to the government: urgently address the fuel excise. We can do this now. It will have an enormous impact on Australians. Ridgeway, Nicholas, Whitelaw, Ms Karen, McNamara, Edith, Lawrence, Hamish 97 11:56 Ms CLAYDON 248181 Newcastle I rise today to celebrate a remarkable young Novocastrian who is taking our city to the world stage. Nicholas Ridgeway, a talented 17-year-old dancer from Newcastle, has earned the opportunity to represent Australia at the World Dance Movement in Italy. This is an extraordinary achievement from a young person pursuing their passion. Nicholas's journey is one of dedication, discipline and courage. Like so many young people in our community, he has spent countless hours training, refining his craft and striving to be the very best he can be. And now that hard work has paid off—not just with personal success but with the chance to showcase Newcastle's creative talent on the international stage. What stands out about Nicholas's story is not just the achievement itself but what it represents. It represents the strength of arts education in our public schools. And I want to give his school a big shout-out. The Hunter School of the Performing Arts, in Broadmeadow, is nurturing lots of new, emerging young talent in our region. It also represents the support of families, teachers and mentors who are involved in nurturing those young people and their talents going forward. And it represents a community that believes in backing young people to dream big. Nicholas is not just representing himself; he's representing Newcastle, and we are incredibly proud of him. I want to recognise the storytellers in our community: those who capture the experiences, emotions and perspectives that make Newcastle unique. The recent announcement of winners of the 2026 Newcastle Herald short story competition highlights the depth of creative talent in our region, and I would particularly like to congratulate this year's winner, Karen Whitelaw. Through her writing, Karen has demonstrated the power of storytelling to connect us, to reflect our shared experiences and to shine a light on the moments that define who we are. The competition invites local writers to transform everyday life into something meaningful and memorable: stories that reflect our community, our resilience and our creativity. Competitions like this are so important because they create space for voices to be heard, they encourage people to tell their stories, they build confidence in emerging writers and they remind us of the power of words to bring people together. Congratulations, again, to Karen Whitelaw on receipt of this highly regarded award. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional service of two young Novocastrians, Edith McNamara and Hamish Lawrence, who were recently recognised as the region's Junior Life Savers of the Year. While many teenagers are out enjoying their weekends, Edith and Hamish are out patrolling our beaches to prevent drownings and injuries. They're conducting rescues. They're providing first aid. They're setting up safe swimming zones between the red and yellow flags and educating the public on beach safety. They are making a profound contribution to the community, and they're part of a very long and proud tradition of surf lifesaving in Newcastle, a tradition that's built on volunteerism, responsibility and care for others. I'm a very fortunate member of this parliament. I have six surf lifesaving clubs to represent, stretching from Stockton, Nobbys, Newcastle, Cooks Hill, Merewether to Dixon Park. They are all important contributors to our community, but Edith and Hamish are really exceptional examples of young people doing remarkable work. I note that Edith has already helped rescue a struggling swimmer during patrol and Hamish is continuing to dedicate himself to developing and building on his training and skills in protecting beachgoers. As I mentioned, these are not small contributions; these are real acts of service. They make a positive difference. What is so powerful about their stories is that they remind us that leadership doesn't have to wait till adulthood. It's happening right now. It's happening on our beaches, in our surf clubs, in our communities and in our sporting organisations. These are young lifesavers who are representing the very best of us, and they give me and, I know, all Novocastrians great confidence that our future is in very good hands. Invasive Species Management: Carp 97 12:04 Mr CHESTER IPZ Gippsland The Victorian Fisheries Authority has a very simple message for state governments across Australia and the federal government: it is time to get serious about carp. It is time for less talk and more action to control this insidious invasive species. European carp are destroying our waterways. They are killing native species. They are causing enormous social, economic and environmental losses, and the impact on recreational fishing is extremely difficult to evaluate but certainly enormous in terms of lost opportunities for our regional communities. The Victorian Fisheries Authority has advised me that there's enough carp in Australia today to fill the MCG three and a half times over. Carp, at times, can amount to 90 per cent of the fish biomass in some of our waters. There've been thousands of pages of scientific research and investigation into how we manage carp and detailed reports on different approaches that are available to us, but the time for talk is over. It's time for more action in relation to European carp. In Gippsland, carp are actually outcompeting native species in our rivers and our Ramsar listed Gippsland Lakes. They're destroying the water quality and the biodiversity of our wetland. Our wetlands are overrun with carp, and our community wants to see more action. People are simply frustrated by the delays. There is now a paralysis by analysis. The cost of inaction is enormous, and there has to be an acceptable level of risk when it comes to taking action. I think the acceptable level of risk has been reached in terms of the research and the information we already have available to us. The CSIRO has made it clear in relation to the potential release of the herpes virus to have an impact on the carp population. CSIRO researchers found that the virus 'does kill Australian pest carps, and it kills them quickly'. Current research has also shown that the virus does not develop in native Australian species of fish. That's important because the CSIRO is independent, and it has disproved what is perhaps one of the major concerns in relation to whether the virus would then transfer to other native Australian fish. CSIRO research shows very clearly that it kills them quickly, and the current research has also shown the virus does not develop in native Australian species of fish. Carp represent, as I said, about 90 per cent of the total fish biomass in the Murray-Darling Basin. That's around 350 million carp. As I said, carp are degrading river health. They're ruining water quality. They're eroding banks. They're removing vegetation. They're outcompeting and preying on juvenile native fish. They're increasing algae blooms and reducing biodiversity. Carp impact 22 species, many of which are rare and endangered. I've seen in my own electorate where the carp, burrowing into the bank, undermines the bank and you end up with red gum trees, which are hundreds of years old, falling into rivers in our community. The 2025 Murray-Darling Basin audit shows that carp are the key ecological pressure limiting native fish recovery. If we can reduce the biomass of the carp to a level where the native species can predate on the juvenile carp, we can turn the balance in this debate and get some great environmental outcomes across our nation. The impacts of and the lack of action on carp is the key issue of concern raised by recreational fishers in my state of Victoria and, I'd imagine, right across the nation. The important thing to note here is that there is a way forward, there is a plan, and there's been an enormous amount of work done on this invasive species. Australia's been researching carp biocontrol for 49 years now. For the last 20 years, the carp herpes virus has been subject to an enormous amount of consideration, culminating in the National Carp Control Plan of 2022. The department has commissioned further research on the carp virus with no clear timelines on if and when a decision will be made about the use of the virus. The VFA—the Victorian Fisheries Authority—is recommending trials to get the virus out in the waterways to judge the impact. I support them in their work. We need to see more action. We need to see more boots on the ground doing practical environmental work and fewer suits in our cities making excuses when it comes to these natural resource management issues. I agree entirely with Victorian Fisheries Authority's request of the government, both state and federal. Let's get serious about carp. Fuel, Bendigo Electorate: Women's Sport 98 12:06 Ms CHESTERS 249710 Bendigo I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fuel challenges that many of us in regional Australia are facing. I start by acknowledging and congratulating the people of my electorate in Bendigo. We have not experienced what other regions have faced, with fuel shortages or bowsers running out, and it is a real credit to the people of Bendigo electorate, who did what was asked. They only bought and took what they needed. We've not seen the stockpiling or those challenges that other areas have had. When the crisis first occurred—I do say 'crisis', and it's also one that is not of our making—when Trump started the war in Iran and we saw the challenges and what's been rolling out since then, we saw a spike in demand, but we haven't seen that flow on to our bowsers running out of petrol. It is because of the work of people locally, listening, respecting and understanding that they should just buy what they need. That will help our farmers as we come into the sowing season. We're having favourable rain, and that will also help. But what we've also seen in our region, like in all parts of Australia, is that spike in prices. That is a challenge. I acknowledge it is a challenge for households and for businesses. We have APCO petrol stations in my electorate, and they're always busy. They were before this war started, and they continue to be so today. They always retail fuel for about 20c cheaper than the other suppliers that we have on High Street. If you're filling up a 50-litre tank, that 20c will save you about $10. That does help, particularly for people who are struggling to make ends meet. But the unprecedented spike in prices is a worry and if it continues it will have a big impact, not just on households and businesses but on the economy. That's why I really welcome what this parliament is doing today. Our government is introducing the legislation that will help get consumers a fair go at the petrol pump. We're putting petrol companies on notice and saying that we will not cop Big Australia treating Australian consumers like mugs. We are hoping that the Liberals and the Nationals vote with us on this bill to introduce tougher penalties for petrol companies that are doing the wrong thing by Australians. This is a real team Australia moment, where we need industry to work with government and with consumers to ensure that we have fairer prices at the petrol pumps. I want to say to those who have asked me locally about why our government has decided not to cut the fuel excise that, regardless of what you pay at the pump, fuel excise is fixed. That is a revenue that we collect on behalf of states that we put into roads maintenance and road infrastructure. It's one of the oldest taxes that we have in Australia. It has existed since Federation. It's how we are fixing roads in Epsom, like Howard Street. It is how we are fixing the roads in Pall Mall and the roads around Bendigo. It is how we are fixing our smaller regional roads. It's how we are funding Roads to Recovery, the Black Spot Program and the Safer Roads Program. So I would be concerned if we were looking at the fuel excise as a quick fix to this challenge because it is how we collect revenue to ensure our roads are safe and to help our councils do the work that they need to do to keep our roads maintained. I'm very proud to be a supporter of local women's sport in my electorate. Recently, we had the conclusion of another successful season of the Lisa Chesters Shield, which is the women's senior competition for the Bendigo District Cricket Association. I've been the proud sponsor of the shield since 2021. This year, the Golden Square Cricket Club were again the division 1 winners—an extraordinary, strong team. It's a demonstration that women like to play cricket in Bendigo at the club level. I'm very proud that I continue to sponsor this. As the cricket season ends, our women's football season begins. I'm very proud to stand here today to update the House and let it know that the Kyneton women's football team, the Wedge-Tailed Eagles, will get to play in our local competition. We're looking forward to the season starting over Easter. The central Victorian women's league has expanded and will thrive. Tobacco Control 99 12:11 Mr CONAGHAN 279991 Cowper I had to check the calendar this morning to make sure it wasn't 1 April because I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when the Labor member for Bruce introduced the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 or, as I like to refer to it, the 'combating illicit tobacco (a problem we created and ignored for four years) bill 2026'. For four years I have stood right here and in the other place and warned this government about the illegal tobacco and vaping trade in this country. Have they listened? Absolutely not. This bill, which isn't worth the paper that it is written on, addresses none of the root causes of the problem that we are facing. I have provided the solutions on a platter. As a former detective in the drug enforcement agency, I have provided to the other side the solutions to this problem. This bill does nothing. It tinkers around the edges of penalties. Nobody's being prosecuted for this. There have been a handful of court cases in the last four years. I guarantee you cannot walk down your main street without passing at least one, if not several, of these pop-up tobacconists that are selling illicit tobacco under the counter or vapes, which are apparently illegal in this country although you see everybody standing on corners smoking them, particularly in this place, Parliament House. You cannot walk down your main street without seeing these pop-up stores. I get calls from parents and emails from businesses about these pop-up stores and about the disruption and the concern that people in our communities have—not just because they're selling illegal products but because of the damage they are doing to our society. I saw an extremely disturbing figure in recent times—that is, smoking rates have increased for the first time in 30 years. More disturbing than that is that the people who are taking it up, more than ever, are children under 18 because they can get access to it. We don't need to tinker around the edges of penalties. The courts need to slam those who do get prosecuted, but we have to get to the prosecution stage. So what do we need to do? We need to develop a strategy that supports the law enforcement agencies, and we need an agency that has direct sight of these people, these criminals who are bringing these products into Australia. I'll talk more about these criminals in a moment. We have seen excise on tobacco go down by about $5 billion in one financial year. If we had a proper regime and legalised vapes, we would see another $7 billion in excise and there would be quality control. We wouldn't see garbage coming in from China—we don't know what's in that. These people who are importing are criminals of the worst kind, and the money that they earn is supporting sex slavery, serious drug offences and terrorism. So to put a rubbish piece of legislation on the table is an insult not only to this parliament but to the Australian people. I will happily work with the other side to ensure that illegal vapes and illegal tobacco are wiped out and that that business model is destroyed, because the Australian people deserve better. Fuel 100 12:16 Ms SWANSON 264170 Paterson I rise today to speak about an issue that is front of mind for families, workers and businesses right across my electorate of Paterson and, indeed, across the nation at the moment. It's the ongoing fuel crisis driven by the war in the Middle East. Global events are having real local consequences, from prices at the bowser to the cost of groceries and the viability of transport businesses. This is not an abstract construct. It's happening now, and it's being felt in households and workplaces right across our community. We see you. We know what's happening. In Paterson we are seeing the impact firsthand. One business I want to acknowledge is Hills Tankers, a proud local company that plays a critical role, not just in our region but nationally. It distributes fuel across Australia, supplying retail, aviation and diesel fuels that keep industries operating and communities moving. It is part of the backbone of our economy. I also want to recognise the people behind that success. Andrew and Vicki Hill have built a remarkable family business, supported by a strong leadership team: Shaun and Scott in operations, Helen as chief financial officer and around 330 employees across Australia who keep this business running and our nation running too. But, like so many in the transport sector right now, they are under real pressure. Australians are practical and sensible people. When times are tough, we adapt. We see it every day—people riding motorbikes instead of driving, carpooling and working from home when they can. Australians are doing their bit, and they expect government to do the same. And that's why we have not stood still. It's just one part of our broad response. The Albanese government has been engaging directly with industry, listening to businesses like Hills Tankers and acting on their concerns. We've established a national fuel supply taskforce to coordinate our response and keep fuel flowing where it is needed. We continue to have meetings of National Cabinet, and I know the Prime Minister is meeting with the premiers next Monday. We've doubled penalties for fuel price gouging to protect consumers and small businesses, through the ACCC, and we've acted to support the transport sector, allowing truck drivers and businesses to make emergency applications for contract chain orders so rising fuel costs can be managed fairly across the supply chain. Without our truckies, without our businesses like Hills Tankers, supply chains simply don't function. We've also taken steps to increase fuel availability, easing supply pressures at a critical time. This is about being connected and staying connected not just in Canberra but on the ground. We are working directly with businesses, industry groups and communities because they are living these challenges every day. To Andrew and Vicki and their team and every transport operator and worker in Paterson: we hear you, we see you and we know you're under pressure, but we also know that you are doing your bit for our nation at this moment. We are acting decisively and responsibly, and we want to support you because, in times like this, Australians can't be left to carry the burden on their own. We are going to continue to listen, to engage and to act in the best interests of communities like mine in Paterson. I do want to send a shout-out to all of those people who've done the responsible thing and haven't hoarded fuel, haven't bought jerry cans and haven't bought too much fuel. They've done the right thing. But I also get those who have had to buy excess in order to keep their businesses going. I know this is a matter of balance, but I again want to say to all Australians that fuel is expensive at the moment, and we understand the pressure that you are under. We know we need to continue to listen and to work for you here in Canberra, and that's what we intend to do because that's what responsible government is all about. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 12:21