Source: Prime Minister of Australia
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for joining us. I’m joined today by Anthea Harris, who we have just appointed the Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator.
Since the conflict began a fortnight ago, my Government has been working to protect Australians from the effects of the Middle East war. We’ve already taken a number of significant and indeed unprecedented actions. This morning, I convened the National Cabinet to address fuel security and supply chain preparedness in Australia in response to the conflict in the Middle East. And I thank the premiers and chief ministers who attended this meeting, every one of them at very short notice. And there was a good feeling of common purpose expressed during that meeting.
I want to assure Australians at this time that Australia is well prepared. Our fuel supply is currently secure. However, I want us to be overprepared. I understand there are Australians in some parts of our nation that are really worried as they watch what is unfolding in the Middle East, and that is understandable. But we’re doing all that we can to secure our fuel supply and to get it to the places that need it. I again reiterate today, my message to Australians is please do not take more fuel than you need. That is how you can help. It’s the Australian way to think of others, to think of their neighbours, their community and also to think of the national interest. Only take what you need.
Today, National Cabinet acknowledged that the longer the conflict in the Middle East goes, the more significant the impact will be for global supply chains, fuel prices and the wider economy. And it’s also understood by Australians that this is a global issue that we are dealing with. The conflict is an unprecedented shock to global energy markets. The International Energy Agency has called it the biggest in history. Already, Australians are feeling the consequences of this. And I’m deeply concerned by attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, including the latest overnight in Qatar. We condemn Iran’s ongoing and reckless reprisal attacks in countries across the region who are not parties to this conflict. We do not want to see the conflict escalate further.
Today, the Commonwealth has appointed Anthea Harris, who joins me here, as the Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator to support coordination across governments and sectors. And there will be agreement, every state and territory will appoint someone to work with Ms Harris to make sure that we maximise the coordinated effort during this time. Ms Harris is formerly the CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Security Board. Prior to this she was Deputy Secretary of the Energy Group within the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. So, I can’t think of anyone better with more experience, more knowledge, as well as that experience in a state government to be able to coordinate these efforts.
The Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator will be responsible for the following: leading a new Fuel Supply Taskforce that will be established in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; driving coordination between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories on fuel security and supply chain resilience; providing consistent, coordinated updates to the Commonwealth and States and Territories on our fuel supply outlook; and acting as a single convening point for fuel supply and forward planning. This is a sensible measure to put in place. The Commonwealth Government is of course responsible for fuel security and supply, but it is the States and Territories that are responsible for distribution of are within their jurisdictions. The best outcome is to ensure that Australia is overprepared, and today’s announcement reinforces that approach.
Since the conflict commenced two weeks ago, my Government has taken swift action. We’ve released up to 20 per cent of our diesel and fuel reserves to help address regional shortages. And part of that announcement was that the increase in supply goes to areas of need. We’ve temporarily amended the national fuel standards to make sure that more Australian-made fuels are kept onshore. This is normally fuel made here for export. By temporarily amending the standards, it means that that fuel is now kept here. And we’re cracking down on petrol companies engaging in price gouging. The Minister for Foreign affairs is engaging key international counterparts to help ensure the continued flow of fuel and diesel shipments to Australia from our trading partners. And I’ve been engaged in that process as well. My Government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.
Briefly, I do want to just add, before I take questions, the issue of Cyclone Narelle, which is off the coast of Far North Queensland. This has the potential to be a very dangerous weather event for both North Queensland but also the Northern Territory. The Category 4 cyclone is forecast to strengthen into a Category 5 system before crossing with severe impacts on Friday. And I’ve been engaged and will continue to engage with Premier David Crisafulli as well. And as always, the Commonwealth stands ready to provide whatever assistance is required for both Queensland and for the Northern Territory.
Happy to take questions.
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Thank you.