Summary
Two bills received second readings in the House on 23 March 2026: the Protecting Australia's Prime Agricultural Land Bill 2026, which seeks to prevent prime farmland from being converted to non-agricultural uses, and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025, which proposes to restrict life insurers from requiring or using genetic test results when assessing applications and includes other miscellaneous treasury law changes. No divisions were held. Question time centred on fuel supply, with Dan Tehan asking when Bowen was advised of six cancelled fuel shipments, Zoe McKenzie seeking state-by-state figures on service stations that had run out of fuel, and Colin Boyce raising shortages in the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania. Bowen provided figures showing dozens of affected stations across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, and noted a conditional minimum stock obligation release. Allegra Spender asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers about a windfall tax on gas companies, which Chalmers declined to pursue. Darren Chester asked Minister Julie Collins about securing fertiliser supplies for farmers amid price increases and shipping disruptions, and Collins outlined monitoring and industry engagement measures.
Questions
Fuel Security
Dan Tehan asked when Minister Bowen was advised of six cancelled fuel shipments. Bowen responded that he had been in constant contact with energy company executives since mid-April regarding supply uncertainty, and confirmed yesterday that six cancellations or delays occurred in April, most of which have since been replaced. He characterised this as providing factual updates to the public.
Fuel
Zoe McKenzie asked Minister Chris Bowen how many service stations in Australia have run out of fuel during the national fuel crisis. Bowen directly answered by providing state-by-state figures: New South Wales had 37 out of 2,444 stations affected, Queensland had 47 without diesel and 32 without unleaded out of 1,800 stations, Victoria had around 50 stations out of fuel, and he noted improving supply in Western Australia.
Fuel
Colin Boyce asked the Climate Change and Energy Minister about fuel supply shortages in the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Tasmania. Minister Bowen indicated he is engaging with states through National Cabinet and energy ministers council, participating in a Tasmanian roundtable, and noted he had approved a minimum stock obligation release conditional on fuel flowing to regional Australia, though he did not provide specific information about current fuel availability in those regions.
Gas Industry: Taxation
Allegra Spender asked Treasurer Jim Chalmers whether the government would impose a windfall tax on gas companies benefiting from Middle East-driven price spikes, similar to other nations in 2022. Chalmers declined to implement such a tax, instead emphasizing the government's focus on fuel security and noting that previous PRRT reforms have increased tax contributions from the oil and gas sector, while acknowledging differing views on the issue.
Sovereign Capability
Chester asked about the government's plan to secure fertiliser supplies for Australian farmers amid price increases and shipping disruptions. Minister Collins outlined measures including monitoring current stock levels, working with the ACCC and industry on pricing and alternatives, sourcing urea from other regions, and holding regular meetings with the agriculture sector, though she did not announce a specific new plan or commitment.
Fuel Security
Steggall asked the Treasurer to admit the government was wrong about downgraded PRRT revenue predictions and to secure better returns from gas resources. Chalmers deflected by attributing revenue variations to commodity price volatility and reiterating that PRRT reforms ensure more tax is paid sooner, without directly addressing whether the government's forecasts were inaccurate.
Fuel Security
McIntosh asked Minister Bowen when he was first notified about cancelled fuel shipments. Bowen deflected by referring the member to his previous answers rather than providing a direct response to the specific timing question.
Budget: Medical Research
Monique Ryan asked whether the government would increase investment in medical and scientific research in the upcoming budget, citing the economic productivity benefits. Treasurer Chalmers responded that the government is enthusiastic about research investment and that the Medical Research Fund is part of their thinking, but stopped short of committing to increased funding, instead saying they would work through recommendations from a recent report and make views known 'in due course.'
Fuel Security
Minister Bowen confirmed he has engaged with his department on contingency planning for fuel emergencies, explaining that any fuel rationing would require a national fuel emergency declaration (never previously done) and would only follow voluntary restraint measures. He emphasized that states have considerable powers under the 2006 National Liquid Fuel Emergency Response Plan and that such measures remain a distant prospect.
Fuel
Simon Kennedy asked if Minister Chris Bowen had been briefed by state and territory governments on fuel rationing following reports of NSW contingency planning. Bowen confirmed he met with state and territory ministers on Friday to compare contingency planning notes, referenced the 2006 National Liquid Fuel Emergency Response Plan, and criticized the questioner for spreading misinformation about fuel exports on social media.