QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator CASH (Western Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (14:01): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. On 4 March, you told this Senate that warnings about fuel shortages were 'far-right extremist scaremongering' and that there was 'no need' for Australians to be concerned. Last sitting week, you told the Senate: There is not a supply problem … there is some unusual demand behaviour.

Since then, six fuel shipments have been cancelled, Mr Bowen has conceded that there will be bumps in supply, and some Australians are paying over $3 a litre at the bowser. Minister, you were wrong, and Australians are now paying a very steep price for it. Will you now apologise for dismissing a real fuel crisis as far-right extremist scaremongering?