QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:01): If I may, with indulgence, I'll also add my welcome to Speaker Seah Kian Peng. Welcome to the parliament, and I welcome the Singaporean delegation. We are very appreciative of our partnership, as evidenced by the joint statement between Prime Minister Wong and Prime Minister Albanese.
We thank you for your presence here today. I think we've been very clear, Senator Hume, that, whilst we have continued to receive the shipment of fuel as anticipated, we know that what has occurred in the Middle East is an unprecedented shock to energy markets. It is an unprecedented shock.
As the minister has explained publicly and in the other place, our fuel supply is currently secure, but we are very cognisant of the ongoing disruption of global energy markets. What that requires is the government to work together with the community, with business and with the states to ensure that we deliver the fuel to where it is needed. The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, point of order?
Senator Hume: On relevance, I asked if the minister's statement was correct. Is there more fuel circulating now than there was before the conflict in Iran? The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, the minister is being directly relevant to your question.
Senator WONG: As you might recall—and I didn't see the interview in question—Minister Bowen has also released 20 per cent of our fuel and diesel reserves. Obviously that has— Senator McKenzie: I've a point of order on direct relevance. The minister that Senator Hume was referring to was Minister O'Neil, not Minister Bowen.
The PRESIDENT: Senator McKenzie, that isn't a point of order. Minister Wong, please continue. Senator WONG: Perhaps I wasn't making myself clear.
I understood it was— Senator Cash interjecting— Senator WONG: Thank you, Senator Cash. Senator Cash: She said the 'Minister for Housing'— Senator WONG: If I may, I am actually trying to treat the question with courtesy— Senator Cash: One minute and forty in! The PRESIDENT: Senator Cash, please be silent.
Senator WONG: Through you to Senator Hume, I understood that the statement was made by Minister O'Neil. The point I was making was that Minister Bowen has released 20 per cent of the MSO. Obviously, we have seen more of the fuel and diesel reserves circulating in the economy.
(Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Hume, first supplementary?