Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1569

❓ This parliamentary question scrutinizes the WA government's fragmented approach to managing liquid fuel supply disruptions, highlighting multiple overlapping plans, appointments, and working groups, and seeking clarification on the ultimate responsibility and coordination mechanisms. The answer provided is notably brief and evasive, failing to address most of the specific inquiries.

AnsweredQoN 1569Legislative Council

Asked

14 April 2026

Member

Hon Steve Martin

Portfolio

Energy and Decarbonisation

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the State's Energy Supply Disruption State Hazard Plan which establishes the Coordinator of Energy as the Hazard Management Agency (HMA) for gas, liquid fuel and electricity supply disruptions at a state level and which outlines four alert escalation levels (Level 0 - White, Level 1- Yellow, Level 2 - Amber, Level 3 - Red) and the corresponding response steps from the State Government and the HMA (the Coordinator of Energy), and the National Fuel Security Plan established by National Cabinet which also outlines four levels (Level 1 - Green "Plan and prepare", Level 2 - Yellow "Keep Australia Moving", Level 3 - Orange "Take Targeted Action", and Level 4 - Red "Protecting critical services for all Australians"), and I also refer to the State Government's Fuel Security Roundtable announced on 10 March 2026 which the following day agreed to take seven actions, and I also refer to the Fuel Security State Controller appointment on 19 March 2026 which also established a State Management Team, and I also refer to the establishment of the Industry Support Working Group (ISWG) announced on 31 March 2026 and chaired by the Deputy Premier, and I also note the Minister's announcement on 1 April 2026 in relation to emergency powers under theFuel, Energy and Power Resources Act,and I ask:(a) Can the Minister confirm whether the Coordinator of Energy is still the highest-level state public servant responsible for managing liquid fuel supply disruptions at a state level (i.e., excluding elected Members or the Governor);(b) Can the Minister confirm the name of the individual who fulfils this role;(c) If no to (a), when was this arrangement changed and how was it changed and what single individual is now responsible for managing liquid fuel supply disruptions at a state level;(d) In relation to (c), what how many staff are working directly for this individual and what is the method established for members of the public to contact that individual or that individual's team;(e) Can the Minister outline the nature of coordination, if any, between the level system established in the State Energy Supply Disruption Plan and the National Fuel Security Plan;(f) Can the Minister confirm which state government agency is chiefly responsible for making the State's representations to National Cabinet and the Commonwealth in relation to the National Fuel Security Plan;(g) In relation to (f), can the Minister confirm the which state public servant (by role) is responsible for the task outlined in (f); and(h) Can the Minister, with reference to each of the individual initiatives referenced in this question's preamble, provide an organisational chart expressing the relationship to of each of these initiatives to each other as it pertains to responsibility for managing the fuel supply crisis at a state level, including by outlining the hierarchy of responsibility both within the public service and also at a Ministerial level?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

14 May 2026

Responded by

Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation

Response time

6 days

(a)-(h)
The State Hazard Plan for Energy Supply Disruption (the Plan) details management and response structures for liquid fuel supply disruption in Western Australia. The Plan designates the Coordinator for Energy, currently Mr Jai Thomas, as the Hazard Management Agency (HMA).
In line with the Plan, a State Management Team (SMT) has been established under the HMA as part of the Government’s fuel security response. The resourcing of the SMT continues to evolve to meet operational requirements.
The National Fuel Security Plan, agreed to by National Cabinet, is interoperable with existing jurisdictional plans. Western Australia’s representative on National Cabinet is the Premier.

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