Portfolio — 15 August 2026

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Mr Bowen, used a media release to report on national fuel reserves, reject Senator Hanson's migration proposal, and set environmental conditions for data-centre investment. The release continues the portfolio's cost-of-living relief focus established the previous day with the Cheaper Home Batteries milestone.

**Fuel security and supply**

Mr Bowen reported that Australia holds 41 days of petrol, 37 days of diesel and 35 days of jet fuel in reserve [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9]. He said 44 ships are en route with 3.7 billion litres of fuel deliveries locked in for the next four weeks [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9]. The portfolio frames fuel security as a cornerstone of cost-of-living relief, stressing that renewable energy is the cheapest source and that strong diplomatic ties help keep fuel supplies stable [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9].

The framing links short-term supply assurance to the longer-term transition toward cheaper energy.

**Immigration response**

The Minister rejected Senator Hanson's suggestion to bar migrants from listed countries, arguing that Australia must set its own immigration policy [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9]. He highlighted the contributions of refugees from Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9].

**Data-centre investment conditions**

Mr Bowen said data-centre projects will proceed only if developers supply their own renewable energy and minimise water use [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9]. He noted Queensland's opposition to these rules [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9]. The condition ties large-scale digital infrastructure to the government's renewable energy agenda, placing the burden of clean energy supply on project proponents.

**Continuity with prior activity**

Today's remarks build on the previous day's Cheaper Home Batteries milestone and tighter Clean Energy Regulator enforcement, reaffirming the portfolio's focus on cost-of-living relief and program scale [TA-260815-climat-064ffaba04b9]. The sequence positions fuel security, renewable energy affordability and regulated infrastructure investment as connected pillars of the government's energy-cost agenda.