QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator PAYMAN (Western Australia—Australia's Voice Whip) (14:49): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator McCarthy. The issue of fuel security has been a hot topic in recent weeks, but a key issue that has been forgotten is the government's seemingly mothballed strategic fleet.

In 2022, Labor pledged a 12-vessel strategic fleet to end Australia's decades-long overreliance on foreign shipping. But here we are, four years later, during escalating global conflict and supply chain disruptions, and not a single ship is sailing an Australian flag under the strategic fleet. Minister, can you provide us with a status update on the strategic fleet if it is indeed still going ahead?

Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Before I call the minister, I'm going to ask for silence— Senator Henderson: She was in the caucus room. The PRESIDENT: Senator Henderson—speaking directly over me when I'm calling for silence! I do want to remind the chamber this is Senator Payman's question.