MATTERS OF URGENCY

Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (16:42): I rise to speak on this motion from Senator Scarr, who is a very good-faith actor in this place. He engages in a very genuine way and makes thoughtful contributions, and when he puts forward a motion I certainly take notice. As a crossbencher it is difficult to listen to a government that's four years in blaming everything on the former government.

At the same time, I acknowledge that, when it comes to fuel security, this is a failure over a very long time in our country. It seems to me there are three ways to improve liquid fuel security. We have to store more fuel, refine more fuel or reduce demand for electrification, active travel and public transport.

This is not an issue that has popped up since the emergence of the conflict in the Middle East; it's an issue that's been developing for many decades now. Yes, the government should've done more. The previous government should've done more.

The Labor government before them should've done more. This is a failure of both sides of politics, but we now have the technology to deal with it. We have the opportunity to democratise energy in this country, to unlock savings—thousands of dollars of savings—for every household in this country by running their appliances and their cars off Aussie sunshine and wind and storing it in batteries.

The same party that is now criticising the government is the one that has fought electrification for decades, and some continue to do that. We have to move past that. This is an opportunity to unlock savings for the Australians who are doing it toughest: renters and people on fixed incomes The opportunity is there if we're willing to work together and deliver for all Australians.