MATTERS OF URGENCY

Senator CICCONE (Victoria) (16:03): It's fair to say everyone in this building is committed to making sure the current crisis we are facing with respect to fuel is addressed. I find it ironic that those opposite and the crossbench want to blame everyone, such as the government, for their problems. It is worth acknowledging that unlike members across the aisle, who are more interested in stunts—and that's what they did on Friday, rocking up to a fuel station and pretending they had a policy to slash the excise.

Something they could have done when they were in government was reform the fuel sector, but instead we went from six refineries to two. Then we've got the Greens going on about the craziness of the war, calling it 'illegal' and 'Trump's war' and wanting to blame the US President, saying that somehow he is at fault, but they fail to acknowledge the Iranian Islamic regime's fault in terms of why we are in the middle of this conflict—it sponsors terrorism around the world, but let's forget about that; let's also blame the government for that problem.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is one that the government has taken seriously from day one. We have quietly worked in the background to address the concerns and issues that came before it. We have listened to all people—experts and academics.

We have acknowledged the work from those in this place. That's why the government has made the announcement today, talking to premiers, to state leaders, about what federal and state governments can do collectively to address the cost-of-living pressures. That's why, today, the government has announced a temporary halving of the fuel excise for all drivers over the next three months.

We've also announced the elimination of the heavy vehicle road user charge for the next three months. I must say that I took issue with the contribution from Senator McKenzie earlier, around the heavy vehicles and road charges, trying to somehow slander those in the trucking industry. If I recall, for many, many years members of the Transport Workers' Union have been calling on government, particularly the conservative coalition government, to reform the trucking industry.

All we got from those opposite was a trucking industry made less safe, less productive and less transparent. Senator Sheldon will no doubt recall those opposite wanting to shut down the transport remuneration tribunal and successfully doing so. The tribunal would have ensured that the trucking industry in this place were a lot safer, paid trucking folks in the industry the right remuneration and, in doing so, been able to get fuel around the country in a much more efficient manner, supporting the refineries that make our fuel—which we all take for granted.

It's worth acknowledging the two refineries that we have left, because, again, we had six, and now we only have two, thanks to the coalition government back then. Senator Henderson: You tried to shut it down. Senator CICCONE: Thank you, Senator.

It's worth acknowledging, on the record—when we talk about the hypocrisy of those opposite, who come into this place and want to blame the government for the current crisis—that there are a lot of levers that governments have. I acknowledge that. But there are also international things that we, like every other country around the world, are managing.

It is a conflict that none of us want to see, but it's one that we have to acknowledge exists. And it is one where we need to back our friends and allies, like the United States and Israel, because, without a government in Tehran that is sponsoring terrorism around the world—let's not forget that there were at least two terrorist attacks that occurred on Australian soil, and they continue to funnel funds to terrorist organisations not just here in Australia but around the world, exporting this terror and hate.

This is the real, core reason why we are dealing with this crisis before us. It is good to see Australia siding with our friends, with our partners, like the United Arab Emirates, and sending military assistance to help our friends when they need it most. I am not going to remain silent in this place and allow those on the crossbench in particular to criticise this government for its actions in defending that crisis.

Let's also remember the work we are doing— (Time expired)