Question Time AU

General Debate

Fuel Security, Energy

House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 March 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Rowan Holzberger addressed concerns about fuel supply, asserting that the issue was demand-driven rather than a shortage of available fuel. Holzberger criticised the opposition for promoting coal and nuclear energy over cheaper renewable alternatives, attributing this stance to ideological opposition to climate science. The member highlighted the reduction in domestic oil refineries during the previous government's tenure and argued that government intervention was necessary to protect sovereign capacity. Holzberger concluded by linking high energy costs to the privatisation of public assets and the delay of renewable energy connections.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Rowan Holzberger (Forde) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Holzberger argued that fuel supply in Australia was sufficient and that disruptions were caused by demand pressures rather than shortages. The member criticised the opposition for advocating coal and nuclear power, describing these as expensive choices driven by an ideological rejection of climate science. Holzberger noted that the number of oil refineries had fallen from six to two under the previous government, attributing the survival of the remaining two to Labor pressure. The member asserted that delaying renewable energy connections increased residential electricity costs and that privatisation had negatively impacted economic stability.