The Albanese Government has been challenged to provide greater assurances that fuel will be prioritised for agriculture, food manufacturing and the transport sector if the war in Iran causes further supply disruptions.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Darren Chester said the government had been ‘light on details’ in Federal Parliament this week when asked about its plans for fuel and fertiliser.
“Key agricultural industry groups are already warning that further disruptions to fuel and fertiliser supplies will create shortages and price increases for Australian families,” Mr Chester said.
“A survey of Red Meat Advisory Council members has warned that 85% of meat producers and abattoirs have only enough diesel supply for one week of normal operations.
“Government Ministers have repeatedly claimed there’s more fuel in the country than before the war in Iran, but can’t explain why up to 800 service stations are experiencing shortages and farmers aren’t receiving the bulk diesel supplies they ordered weeks ago.
“The government needs to be open and transparent with Australians regarding any domestic supply chain failures and demonstrate how it will prioritise fuel for key industries like agriculture if the situation deteriorates.
“We need some clarity and transparency from the Prime Minister on how the government will guarantee food production and delivery, not more empty rhetoric and platitudes.”
Mr Chester said the deteriorating global environment had also strengthened the need to fast-track the ‘National Food Security Strategy’ and elevate the issue of food and fibre security to a matter of national importance in the future.
“When it comes to food security, I agree with industry leaders that it’s time to take the issue more seriously and link it to national security in an increasingly uncertain world,” Mr Chester said.
“As a nation, we grow more than enough food for our own domestic consumption, but the agricultural sector depends heavily on many imported critical inputs like fuel, fertiliser and pesticides.
“Disruptions in the supply chain, like we are seeing today, have the potential to undermine our farmers’ capacity to feed Australians and the tens of millions of people around the world who rely on our high-quality agricultural exports.
“Household budgets are already under pressure, and Australian families can’t afford the price shocks associated with these supply chain disruptions.
“The government was warned by industry almost four years ago on the consequences of not having a nationally co-ordinated food security plan, which includes fuel and fertiliser, and it must be part of Australia’s national security planning today, and in the future.”
