STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr SMALL (Forrest—Opposition Whip) (13:33): There's no crisis, so the Minister for Energy and Resources told us. So why were fuel stations running out? Because you were panic buying, apparently!

But still, he leant against the dispatch box here in parliament and said, 'There's no crisis.' Six ships were cancelled. It's the first time the energy minister has managed to stop the boats in Australian history. 'Hang on,' he says, 'there are more coming.' From where? The gulf of America.

Is it any wonder that we're starting to see diesel prices exceeding $3 at the bowser. Now, he says it's a crisis, a national fuel crisis. So, does the PM take action?

No, because the National Cabinet decided there's no crisis. Then there are 500 service stations around Australia running dry, and farmers in our country can't get their crops in, and, suddenly, it's a crisis again, so let's have a second National Cabinet. I'm reminded that, on 11 April 2022, someone said: I won't blame someone else, I'll accept responsibility.

On 24 April 2022, they said: Australia needs a government that will accept responsibility and not seek to blame others … Who said that? That would be the Prime Minister of Australia. Labor hasn't been upfront with Australians.

Fuel is not guaranteed in this country, Australians are hurting and it is clear that government has lost control and has no plan to get Australia back on track.