Sovereign Capability

O'Neill argued that the government was providing stability and practical support rather than inflaming fear. O'Neill stated that while market conditions were tightening, there was no immediate shortage of fertiliser, though pressure was expected to increase in April. O'Neill noted that the government was working closely with industry bodies to monitor supply chains and address emerging bottlenecks proactively.

Whish-Wilson attributed the anxiety surrounding supply chains to Australia's involvement in international conflicts supported by all major parties. Whish-Wilson described the reliance on imported fertiliser as a long-term structural problem that had persisted across multiple governments. Whish-Wilson called for greater transparency and truth regarding the reasons for military engagements affecting global markets.

McDonald criticised the government for failing to release new offshore acreage for oil and gas exploration since taking office. McDonald argued that environmental regulations and activist litigation had delayed projects such as the Perdaman urea plant at Karratha. McDonald claimed that changes to environmental legislation would slow down approvals and that the government was killing off tenures established by the previous administration.

Mulholland defended the government's calm and fact-based approach to managing supply chain pressures. Mulholland highlighted that ministers had met with the National Farmers' Federation and industry representatives to coordinate a national response. Mulholland noted that Australia relied on imports for approximately 65 per cent of urea-based fertiliser and that domestic production in Western Australia would not restart until 2027.

Whitten warned that fertiliser prices had nearly doubled, rising from around $700 to $1,400 per tonne, with predictions of further increases. Whitten argued that just-in-time supply systems had made Western Australia particularly vulnerable to shocks. Whitten called for greater self-reliance, stating that decades of government mismanagement had left farmers facing potential foreclosures and reduced crop yields.

Payman cited data indicating that Australia consumed 8.7 million tonnes of fertiliser in 2024, with imports accounting for 7.9 million tonnes. Payman noted that domestic manufacturing had declined while reliance on international supplies had increased. Payman highlighted that domestic supplies were expected to last only until mid-April, coinciding with peak demand for winter crops.

Smith argued that Australia's dependence on imports left the nation exposed to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global ammonia and urea shipments pass. Smith stated that domestic production had fallen to just 15 per cent of total consumption, creating a single point of failure in the supply chain. Smith warned that farmers were already reducing plantings and that fuel shortages were compounding the economic pressure on regional industries.