QUESTION TIME: Fuel Crisis with Bob Katter, Federal Member for Kennedy

QUESTION TIME : Fuel Crisis

Bob Katter, Federal Member for Kennedy:‍

Q: The fuel crisis is impacting the whole world, but what do you see as the key pressure points here in our community? What are you actively doing to advocate for change or improved assistance through your networks?

A: Whilst North Queenslanders had a win by forcing Government to halve the fuel excise tax and suspend the heavy vehicle road user charge last Monday – a full fortnight after my request in writing to the Prime Minister, on behalf of the transport sector and regional communities demanding urgent action – it’s a stay of execution, not a solution, for primary producers on the knife-edge of a crumbling supply chain for our national food security.  

The Government didn’t lead on this – they were dragged to it – which proves that when the people fight, they can still win.

But right now, we’re fighting for immediate Government action to guarantee time-critical diesel and fertiliser supplies that are not cost-prohibitive for the continuation of primary industries across North Queensland. And we remain in constant contact with the Prime Minister, Treasurer and Energy Minister to secure critical interventions where cumulative supply pressures are most acute, from our regional centres to our rural and remote communities.    

Q: People are feeling the pinch not only at the fuel pump, but also at the checkout. There is growing concern about the cost of living and the future stability of regional economies. What would you like to say to reassure our readers, while also speaking plainly about the influencing factors and what they should be aware of?

A: Until Australia can fuel itself, this crisis will continue. As one of the world’s biggest producers of grain and sugar as ethanol feedstocks, we're uniquely placed for self-sufficiency – yet we live at the mercy of the Middle East.  

While my electorate offices from Mount Isa to Innisfail are assisting our local families and regional industries being stung at the pointiest end of the global supply chain, we are told just today that two of Melbourne’s biggest truck stops are both out of diesel, while our canegrowers can’t secure diesel or fertiliser supplies for upcoming harvesting or the next crop – never mind at the doubled-plus prices leaving the whole enterprise in the balance.  

I have warned continuously that ‘we will go without fuel’ – and now what I am telling my fellow Australians is, 'you will go without food'. The fuel crisis hitting North Queensland’s once-great foodbowl industries from fishing to farming… soon there won't be any left, leaving our regional communities facing a precarious future as ghost towns.  

Q: What other common concerns are you currently hearing in your community? What solutions or reassurances would you like to share with our readers?

A: You cannot run a country on imported fuel and expect security. Australia is 20 per cent self-sufficient in oil, yet only three per cent in petrol.  

As I have reiterated in Parliament and our ongoing representations to Government in recent weeks, this escalating crisis impels at the very least:

• banning Australian oil exports, which we buy back as foreign-owned fuel for 10 times what we sell it for;  

• reopening recently closed fuel refineries, and ramping up production at our remaining two; and

• ramping up ethanol production (including converting sugar mills and boosting our existing grain and sugar ethanol plants), alongside immediate enforcement, in full, of existing ethanol and biodiesel mandates in Queensland and New South Wales, and urgent expansion to 10 per cent ethanol-blended petrol nationally;

to ensure we use all we produce in our thriving regional industries, whilst further reducing our dangerous reliance on dirtier, imported fuels that cost Australians’ health and hip-pockets to deliver super-profits to our foreign overlords.

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