Interview with Jacob Greber, ABC 7:30

JACOB GREBER, Chris Bowen, welcome to 7:30. MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY, CHRIS BOWEN: Good to be with you, Jacob. Is the government preparing to do another cut to the fuel excise?

MINISTER BOWEN: Obviously, the situation in the Middle East has been very negative for fuel supply, and that's mainly impacting on prices around the world at the moment and so, obviously, we continue to look very closely on that. On the matter of excise, obviously, we cut the excise in half for a period of time. We were very clear that that was a temporary measure.

It's not the only cost of living measure that we put in place. Obviously, tax cuts, cheaper medicines, free TAFE, etcetera, right across the board and so we'll obviously continue to focus on those other measures. At the same time, I'm very much focussed on ensuring our ongoing fuel supply in this very difficult international circumstance.

OK, so to someone at home, that sounds like this is not where the relief comes, via the petrol bowser and that excise, you're giving it to them elsewhere? MINISTER BOWEN: Look, we said that excise cut was temporary. We were very clear on that, right from the beginning.

We did extend it a bit to have it gradually return to more normal levels. So, it has played out. We're not going to, you know, we're not going to respond to every daily movement on the world oil price. : But one of the things that we saw when this war broke out was a great deal of, I guess you'd call it panic buying, What are you doing to make sure that doesn't happen again?

What are you doing on the supply question? Because inevitably, when you have this kind of action in the Middle East, people worry about when it gets here. MINISTER BOWEN: So, as you know, Jacob, I hold a press conference every Saturday, have done for the best part of six months, where I outline very clearly how much fuel we have in Australia, each week, how much is on the way, what orders are booked in, I did it again this Saturday, I'll do it again next Saturday.

And at this point, I can provide full reassurance, as I said, that we've got 3.3 billion litres locked in to be delivered over the next four weeks. We have 41 days’ worth of petrol on hand in Australia, for example, and these are the figures that I provide every weekend, every Saturday. Have done for six months and will keep doing so.

Ok, but a lot of that, a lot of that supply is, you know, on ships that predates what we're seeing now. It's a very active situation in the Gulf. Is there anything additional, sort of, on the cards, are you pushing our allies?

What is the plan here that reassures people? MINISTER BOWEN: Yeah, and of course, what we are seeing in the Middle East is deeply concerning. I will be travelling to Saudi Arabia next week for direct meetings with my counterpart.

The energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz Al Saud, to get direct from him the situation, because, obviously, information, even, even though I've been talking to him on the phone, getting the best information about the state of the pipeline, when it will return to more normal levels, what the approach of the Saudi Arabian government is will be key for ensuring that fuel security overcoming weeks and months.

Minister, we've learnt today that 500 workers and some 100 contractors are going to lose their jobs in Whyalla in South Australia. Why haven't the Commonwealth and state governments been able to help save those jobs? MINSITER BOWEN: Well, the Commonwealth and the state government have worked very closely with the administrator liquidator, but ultimately, decisions like this have been made in the private sector.

This has been very poor management by GFG, and Sanjeev Gupta, and he has let, and that company, has left South Australians down, the people Whyalla down. We have today announced a $10 million commitment with the South Australian government for workers' support. It's a deeply disturbing day, sad day, one that everyone tried to avoid, but ultimately, it was unavoidable.

So, there are two bidders left. They were announced by the state and federal governments recently. What happens now to that sales process?

MINISTER BOWEN: Well again, we'll continue to work through the industry minister, with the administrator, with KordaMentha and the South Australian government, and our number one, two, and three priority will be the best interests of the people of Whyalla. I’ll leave Tim Ayers to talk more about the process that he's responsible for as industry minister, but I can tell you, we're focussed like a laser on the best interests of the workers of Whyalla who've done nothing wrong.

So, what happened to the whole hydrogen green steel option here with Whyalla? Why is that seemingly off the table? Surely, we were told, by people like yourself, there are a few places on Earth, better placed to deliver that kind of a business.

MINISTER BOWEN: Yeah, green hydrogen, in my view, does still have a future, both in Australia and in the world, but it has proven slower to roll out than was predicted globally and in Australia. So, three or four years ago, governments of all persuasions have seen the potential for green hydrogen, and we do, too. It’s for example, being developed by Orica, at Kooragang Island in Newcastle.

But it's been slower and more expensive, though it hasn't come down the cost curve as quickly for a whole bunch of reasons globally, as was hoped a few years ago. All right, so presumably a bit of a disappointment from your point of view? MINISTER BOWEN: Well, as I said, look, I never quite bought all the hype on green hydrogen at the top, but nor do I buy it at the bottom.

It is not dead. It does have a future. It's not the answer to all the world's problems, but it does have a role to play, including creating jobs in Australia.

Just moving on quickly to immigration. We’ve been waiting for an update from the government. We've heard that the Prime Minister and Angus Taylor met a couple of times last week.

The coalition wants to link net overseas migration to housing completion. Is that something the government is willing to consider? MINISTER BOWEN: Look, bottom line, if the coalition wants to see immigration settings brought down and improved, we are happy to work with them.

We need a legislative pathway through the Senate, in particular, to get that done. Tony Burke has interacted in good faith with the coalition. Ultimately the coalition has to decide.

Do they really just want to talk about immigration, or do they want to actually vote for improvements to immigration? The Prime Minister has been engaging with Angus Taylor, and Tony Burke has been engaging, in good faith, with his counterparts. But I guess time will tell whether the coalition's prepared to engage in good faith with the government and be a party of government.

If you want to be a party of government, it does need coming together from time to time to work on difficult issues together. Or you can sit on the sidelines and throw rocks and not engage. It up to the coalition.

So, does the housing idea have some merit in your view? MINISTER BOWEN: Look, what we need to do is get immigration down. That's why we've reduced immigration by 45%, because it did need to come down after the post COVID peaks.

There is more work to do. Tony Burke has been doing that work. It’s up to the coalition, whether they want to engage in that work constructively or not.

Now, one last thing, you've appointed Sussan Ley to the Board of Snowy Hydro. Under her leadership, the coalition abandoned its commitment to Net Zero, and she also blamed your rollout of renewables for causing high energy prices. What do you hope she'll bring to the role?

MINISTER BOWEN: I like to run a portfolio of all the talents. When I see an Australian who's well credentialled, I don't care how they vote, I don't really care what they've said about me in the past. I want to put them to work for the country.

Sussan's a former environment minister and water minister. At one point, Snowy 2.0 was in her electorate. She knows the program very well.

I saw an Australian wanting to serve her country. I had the view, with Katy Gallagher, that she could play that role, and I said, when I see an Australian of talent and ability, same as I did with Matt Kean, I'll put them to work for the country in my portfolio. I'm glad that Sussan, together with an energy expert, Merryn York, has agreed to do that.

Chris Bowen, thanks for talking to us. MINISTER BOWEN: Good on you, Jacob. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.