Question time returns to the House of Representatives
Question time has begun in the House of Representatives, in a delayed edition following an address from European Union President Ursula von der Leyen.
You can follow along live here:
‘Partisanship over patriotism’: Bowen attacks Liberal leaders
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said the Liberal Party’s leadership should “hang their heads in shame” for having chosen to politicise the global fuel crisis.
Bowen was asked by former Nationals leader Michael McCormack: “What is your plan to get fuel to the more than 400 service stations that have no fuel.”
Bowen rose and began listing government measures to tackle the fuel crisis, including releasing 20 per cent of the minimum stock obligation under condition that it flows to regional Australia.
“I also announced a temporary relaxation of the rules for sulfur for petrol, which will see an extra 100 million liters of fuel to be supplied to the system each month. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister, has convened national cabinet. I’ve convened energy ministers, and we have agreed to keep working together on contingency plans,” Bowen said.
“We will work every day with refiners, with suppliers, to ensure that that fuel flows to where there are real shortages. Mr. Speaker, where there are real shortages as a result of the increases in demand that we have seen across Australia.”
Bowen ended his speech by attacking the opposition, accusing the Liberal leadership of having “chosen partisanship over patriotism, and they should hang their heads in shame”.
Hundreds of petrol stations run dry across country
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has provided a state-by-state update on fuel shortages. Here’s the data he provided:
- New South Wales – 164 stations are without diesel, 289 are without at least one type of fuel
- Queensland – 55 stations are without diesel, 35 are without regular unleaded
- Victoria – 162 stations are without one or more grades of fuel
- South Australia– 46 stations are without one or more grades of fuel
- Western Australia – six stations have no fuel
- Tasmania – one station has no diesel, six stations have no unleaded fuel
- Northern Territory – no stations are without fuel because of supply issues, some may be affected by weather events
- Australian Capital Territory – no shortages
No changes coming to fuel excise, says Chalmers
The government is not considering a pause to the fuel excise, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said, after he was asked whether the charge could be suspended for two months.
Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie asked Chalmers: “We are in a cost-of-living emergency. We must act now. Diesel has increased by over 55 per cent in the last month. Will the government suspend the fuel excise for 60 days to provide immediate relief for Australians?”
The government collects 52.6 cents of excise on every litre of fuel, and has consistently resisted altering the charge since war broke out in the Middle East.
“It’s not something that we have been considering. We have been working very hard to provide cost of living relief in the most responsible way that we can,” Chalmers said of the proposition.
The Morrison government halved the excise for six months in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine roiled global oil markets.
Bowen lowers diesel standards to allow more fuel to flow
Labor has temporarily adjusted diesel standards to allow more fuel to flow into the marketplace, Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced.
“This six-month adjustment will lower what’s known as the flashpoint for diesel, from 61.5 degrees Celsius, to 60.5 degrees Celsius, increasing diesel supply options from refiners and international sources,” a statement from Bowen read.
“In effect, Australian refineries will now have more flexibility for making diesel, and widen the markets from which we source diesel, including from the United States, Canada, and Europe, which allow diesel with lower flashpoints. This will give companies more flexibility and more options to adjust supply chains to manage disruption from the Middle East,” the statement said.
“Flashpoint changes have no impact on engines or emissions. Australia typically has a slightly higher temperature flashpoint owing to our hotter climate however when the flashpoint was last lowered in 2020 we saw no adverse impact on engines or emissions.”
EU free trade agreement topic of first Coalition question
Question time has begun with a question from deputy Nationals leader Darren Chester, who asked Agriculture Minister Julie Collins whether she believed the EU free trade agreement was a good deal for Australian farmers.
“At a time of a national fuel crisis which is hurting our farmers, the National Farmers Federation is extremely disappointed with the free trade agreement announced with the European Union today, and said Australian farmers, and I quote, ‘will now pay the price for this subpar EU deal for decades to come’,” Chester said.
Alex Ellinghausen
“Minister, do you really believe this is a good deal for Australian farmers?”
Collins rose to respond and was repeatedly held up by rowdy behaviour in the chamber. Former Nationals leader David Littleproud was ejected during the tumult.
“The Albanese Labor government has worked day and night to rebuild our trading relations that we inherited from those opposite when they left office. Let’s be honest about it, [the Coalition] left us with trade impediments of millions and billions of dollars,” Collins said.
“Today’s Australia-EU free trade agreement represents an opportunity for Australian farmers, fishers and other agricultural producers. It’s not only an important outcome at a time of global trade uncertainty, it further supports the diversification of our agricultural products and our agricultural exports.”
Question time returns to the House of Representatives
Question time has begun in the House of Representatives, in a delayed edition following an address from European Union President Ursula von der Leyen.
You can follow along live here:
Finance union calls for office mandates to be suspended
The Finance Sector Union has called on banks and insurance companies to suspend rules requiring workers to attend the office for work, citing the surge in fuel costs caused by the Middle East conflict.
The union on Tuesday said it had written to employers urging them to allow staff to determine flexible working arrangements. It comes after the International Energy Agency last week said that asking employees to work from home when possible could help to reduce oil consumption.
“Workers are being hit from every angle – fuel, rent, mortgages and inflation – and employers have a clear opportunity to provide immediate relief,” FSU national secretary Julia Angrisano said.
“Cutting back unnecessary commuting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce costs for workers right now.”
Gas levy not government policy, key minister insists
Meanwhile, Resources Minister Madeleine King has remained silent on a potential move by the government to institute a windfall tax on gas profits, after it was reported the prime minister’s department ordered modelling of the policy last week.
“Our gas policies haven’t changed, and I’ve seen that there’s a lot of stuff circling around, a lot of popular … TikTok videos. That’s no way to design tax policy,” King told journalists at Parliament House in Canberra.
Her comment appeared to be a reference to Greens and crossbench MPs, who had taken to social media to barrack for the creation of the levy.
“We will work through any process. What I’m really focused on now is the work on the gas reservation scheme … to make sure that works for the Australian people, for Australia industry, but also, really importantly, to maintain our position as that reliable exporter,” King said.
‘Worst trade deal ever’: Canavan attacks Australia-EU agreement
Nationals leader Matt Canavan says the government has broken its promise to land a “good” trade deal when it struck the agreement with the EU today.
“We as a country have traditionally always held out for a proper free trade deal,” the opposition trade spokesman told reporters in Canberra.
“We have refused deals that were subpar. This government has thrown out that history today by just signing any deal… this deal must go down as the worst trade deal ever.”
Canavan said the increase in beef exports was not a meaningful change because allowances had been slashed in 2019 when the EU struck a deal with the United States to boost their beef trade.
“The government’s making a big deal of taking that 3000 [tonnes] to 35,000 tonnes… [that] barely restores what we had before the EU’s ring-fence side deal in 2019.”
Business Council, automotive industry give trade deal big tick
Reactions to today’s free trade deal with Europe have varied significantly across industries, with criticism from farmers but celebration from the business sector.
The Business Council of Australia lauded the agreement, saying it would create new opportunities for local businesses to grow globally, which was particularly important in times of global uncertainty.
“This free trade agreement gives Australian companies better access to one of the world’s largest markets and puts them on a more level playing field with global competitors,” chief executive Bran Black said.
“For Australian businesses of all sizes, this means fewer barriers, lower costs and more customers – making it easier to export, invest, scale and partner in global supply chains.”
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries welcomed the removal of a 5 per cent import tariff on European vehicles, which it said would make the vehicles more affordable for Australian consumers.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
