Portfolio — 28 April 2026

Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman used a visit to Cairns and the Daintree to communicate the government's fuel security response to communities on the frontline of the Middle East conflict's supply disruptions [TA-260429-dewr-17a260ffe9e3] [TA-260429-pmc-35bda7171930]. The trip signals deliberate effort to take the message to affected regional industries — particularly tourism operators and freight carriers — rather than communicate it solely from Canberra.

On the supply position, Gorman reported diesel prices have fallen to roughly 100% above pre-conflict levels, down from a peak of 160%, and that the government has secured a 40-day fuel buffer through a combination of international purchases, strategic reserve drawdowns, and coordinated action involving national cabinet, state and territory energy ministers, and the business community [TA-260429-dewr-17a260ffe9e3] [TA-260429-pmc-35bda7171930].

A three-month fuel excise reduction remains in place, and Gorman indicated businesses have been consulted on further steps as prices begin to ease [TA-260429-dewr-17a260ffe9e3].

The forward policy signal is budget-focused: the government is flagging additional measures in the upcoming budget to address the ongoing economic impact of the conflict on diesel-dependent sectors [TA-260429-pmc-35bda7171930]. The trucking and tourism sectors are the named beneficiaries of this intent. The national cabinet mechanism — drawing in all jurisdictions — is presented as a key coordination instrument, a framing that positions the fuel response as a whole-of-government effort rather than a single-portfolio action.

No parliamentary record is available for this date; this Note reflects comms stream only.