There is one thing everyone is talking about, not only in Broken Hill, Lightning Ridge, Narrabri and Forbes, not only across the electorate of Parkes, but across all of Australia, and that is the access and cost of fuel.
Regional Australia is hurting over the rapid and massive hike in fuel prices and matters are even worse when fuel is not available at all.
In the last sitting of Parliament, the Coalition – including myself – raised this matter over and over again and we were told basically to calm down, this is a panic buying problem.
Everyone in regional Australia knows this is not true. There are petrol stations without fuel throughout the country and those that do have fuel have had to double or triple prices. Farmers are being told their usual supply is not available, and independent fuel wholesalers are unable to get any supply to pass on to their thousands of customers.
Without fuel – particularly diesel – the machinery of our regions will grind to a halt.
On the weekend, we heard six bulk fuel tankers due to arrive in Australia had been cancelled, in direct contradiction of the Labor Government’s assurances that the fuel supply to the country had not changed.
This is not a call to panic buy. It’s my belief that people across the Parkes electorate have acted in a calm and practical way, buying the fuel they need as they need it – if they can. This is the way we must continue until things improve.
It is deplorable that there was not a firmer hand at the wheel immediately. It was apparent from the beginning that the fuel supply chain would be a problem and – as usual – it is regional Australian areas that get the prickly end of the pineapple.
The government needs to be transparent about where the shortages are and recognise the risk to transport, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and fisheries, as well as the family driver filling up at the pump.
We are vulnerable when it comes to fuel supply, and as well as taking measures to ensure supply continues, long-term solutions must be found. Australians need to know what we are doing and will be doing.
On a lighter note, I spent time in between Parliamentary sittings in the electorate and was invited to visit the Bellevue Pastoral Company in Narrabri. The family behind this very successful agricultural company, the Eathers, were recently named The Weekly Times Coles Farmer of the Year.
It’s a title that is well deserved. I enjoyed visiting Bellevue, where the farm has evolved into a diverse operation that includes cotton, durum wheat, canola, sorghum and other cereals and pulses, and now oranges and almonds.
I also attended the opening of the Namoi Valley Christian School secondary school campus in Wee Waa. It’s great to see another quality education option opening for our families. Congratulations to everyone involved in this success story.
On the way back to Canberra for this week’s Parliamentary sitting, I officially opened the Baradine Show. Anyone who has ever lived in a country town knows just how important the annual show is. It’s where people get together, enjoy the company of their community, and show the best of their livestock, crops and talents.
The Baradine Show was a great example, and I thank the team there for their warm welcome.
Jamie Chaffey is the current National Party Member for the federal seat of Parkes and Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources, Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.
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