Opened the debate
French argued that the government was effectively managing a global fuel supply shock by intervening directly to ensure fuel reached regional and independent service stations. French stated that the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, had released fuel from stockholdings, adjusted fuel standards, and coordinated nationally to prevent shortages. French criticised the previous Liberal government for overseeing the closure of four out of six refineries and for storing fuel in the United States rather than in Australia. French asserted that these past decisions had increased Australia's dependence on imports and vulnerability to global instability. French highlighted that the current approach focused on real-time information, cross-jurisdictional coordination, and early action to protect supply chains.