QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WHITTEN (Western Australia) (14:54): My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Australia sadly imports about 90 per cent of its fuel needs. Our fuel storage levels are the lowest in the developed world, in breach of the International Energy Agency requirement that members must hold 90 days of net oil imports onshore.

Six fuel shipments from Asia to Australia were recently cancelled or deferred. We're not receiving the oil to support our domestic demands. Minister, you've been in government for four years now.

Do you acknowledge that you should have been better prepared for this oil shock?