❓ The Premier updates the house on the National Cabinet meeting regarding fuel security and outlines the government's actions to secure fuel across regional Western Australia, including a seven-point plan and collaboration with industry and the federal government.
AnsweredQoN 180Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Fuel supply—Security
180. Ms Ali Kent to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's nation-leading response to ensuring fuel security in Western
Australia.
(1) Can the Premier update the house on
the outcome of today's National Cabinet meeting?
(2) Can the Premier outline how the
government continues to work with industry and the federal government to secure
fuel across regional Western Australia?
180. Ms Ali Kent to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's nation-leading response to ensuring fuel security in Western
Australia.
(1) Can the Premier update the house on
the outcome of today's National Cabinet meeting?
(2) Can the Premier outline how the
government continues to work with industry and the federal government to secure
fuel across regional Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the question. As
members will be aware, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of National
Cabinet this morning. This was an important step forward to drive national
coordination on fuel security and supply. It was an important step to address
the anxiety being felt by Australians and Western Australians as a result of
the conflict in the Middle East. It was an important step in managing and
minimising the impacts of this global challenge.
As Premier, my job is to listen
to and advocate for Western Australians, which is why I convened the fuel
security round table last week to hear from those on the ground, including fuel
suppliers and representatives from agriculture, resources, transport, and
freight and logistics industries. Through the new fuel industry operational
group, we have carried their insights with us through our continued engagement
with the federal government. That includes today's National Cabinet meeting. As
I said, these are global challenges with local impacts. On top of raising WA's
priorities with the Commonwealth, we are doing everything we can to minimise
the pressures felt by Western Australians. This includes implementing our
seven-point plan, which includes convening the industry operational group;
introducing fuel distribution measures to get more fuel to where we need it
most, including regional Western Australia; and prioritising fuel and
fertiliser imports.
The Prime Minister assured the
public this morning that Australia's fuel supply is currently secure. He also
said there is a good feeling of common purpose at this morning's National
Cabinet meeting. I could not agree more. It was clear this morning that, as a
nation and across each state and territory, we are trying to be overprepared.
It is why the Prime Minister appointed Anthea Harris, former head of the Australian
Energy Regulator and the Energy Security Board, as the national fuel
coordinator. It is why I have appointed Rob Cossart, CEO of the Wheatbelt
Development Commission, as the Fuel Security State Controller to manage the
logistics in Western Australia. Mr Cossart will work closely with the new state
management team of public sector leaders, which has also been stood up to
ensure fuel gets to where it needs to be.
I know that the conflict in the Middle
East has caused uncertainty and anxiety for Western Australians, and particularly
for regional Western Australians. On that note I can advise the house that,
effective from today, BP will release additional fuel volumes to support
regions experiencing the highest level of demand. That includes a 174% increase
out of Perth going to WA Fuels, Vibe, Great Southern Fuels, South East
Petroleum and Refuelling Solutions, with two of those distributors servicing
the Goldfields. I want to take the opportunity to say that I want all Western
Australians to know that while we cannot control what is happening overseas, we
have a choice about how we respond. The state government is doing everything it
can to minimise the impacts here by keeping our industries and communities
strong. Western Australia has faced tough challenges before with resolve and
resilience. I know we will do that again.
Visitors
The Speaker: Just before I give you the call, member
for Geraldton, on behalf of the member for Balcatta I welcome the staff and
students from Tuart Hill Primary School who are up in the gallery today. Also,
on behalf of the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, I acknowledge the winners
of the Golden Lens competition, which is run by the Department of Communities
under the seniors portfolio. Welcome.
members will be aware, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of National
Cabinet this morning. This was an important step forward to drive national
coordination on fuel security and supply. It was an important step to address
the anxiety being felt by Australians and Western Australians as a result of
the conflict in the Middle East. It was an important step in managing and
minimising the impacts of this global challenge.
As Premier, my job is to listen
to and advocate for Western Australians, which is why I convened the fuel
security round table last week to hear from those on the ground, including fuel
suppliers and representatives from agriculture, resources, transport, and
freight and logistics industries. Through the new fuel industry operational
group, we have carried their insights with us through our continued engagement
with the federal government. That includes today's National Cabinet meeting. As
I said, these are global challenges with local impacts. On top of raising WA's
priorities with the Commonwealth, we are doing everything we can to minimise
the pressures felt by Western Australians. This includes implementing our
seven-point plan, which includes convening the industry operational group;
introducing fuel distribution measures to get more fuel to where we need it
most, including regional Western Australia; and prioritising fuel and
fertiliser imports.
The Prime Minister assured the
public this morning that Australia's fuel supply is currently secure. He also
said there is a good feeling of common purpose at this morning's National
Cabinet meeting. I could not agree more. It was clear this morning that, as a
nation and across each state and territory, we are trying to be overprepared.
It is why the Prime Minister appointed Anthea Harris, former head of the Australian
Energy Regulator and the Energy Security Board, as the national fuel
coordinator. It is why I have appointed Rob Cossart, CEO of the Wheatbelt
Development Commission, as the Fuel Security State Controller to manage the
logistics in Western Australia. Mr Cossart will work closely with the new state
management team of public sector leaders, which has also been stood up to
ensure fuel gets to where it needs to be.
I know that the conflict in the Middle
East has caused uncertainty and anxiety for Western Australians, and particularly
for regional Western Australians. On that note I can advise the house that,
effective from today, BP will release additional fuel volumes to support
regions experiencing the highest level of demand. That includes a 174% increase
out of Perth going to WA Fuels, Vibe, Great Southern Fuels, South East
Petroleum and Refuelling Solutions, with two of those distributors servicing
the Goldfields. I want to take the opportunity to say that I want all Western
Australians to know that while we cannot control what is happening overseas, we
have a choice about how we respond. The state government is doing everything it
can to minimise the impacts here by keeping our industries and communities
strong. Western Australia has faced tough challenges before with resolve and
resilience. I know we will do that again.
Visitors
The Speaker: Just before I give you the call, member
for Geraldton, on behalf of the member for Balcatta I welcome the staff and
students from Tuart Hill Primary School who are up in the gallery today. Also,
on behalf of the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, I acknowledge the winners
of the Golden Lens competition, which is run by the Department of Communities
under the seniors portfolio. Welcome.
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