One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce attributes Australia’s fuel security vulnerabilities to the Department of Climate Change, demanding its immediate elimination.
Joyce Dismisses Recent Diesel Shipment as Insufficient
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced securing 100 million liters of diesel through overseas shipments, including one from Brunei. Joyce labels this a mere day’s supply for the nation, consuming roughly that volume daily.
“That’s about what we use [in a day],” Joyce stated. He criticizes the extensive diplomatic efforts yielding such a limited result, calling it “a joke.”
The announcement even prompted mockery from Russia’s state-backed broadcaster RT, which quipped that Australia is being saved “one day at a time.”
Call to Scrap Climate Department and Repeal Restrictions
Joyce argues that years of climate-focused energy policies have eroded domestic fuel production. He urges abolishing the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, along with repealing laws limiting oil and gas development, such as in the Great Australian Bight.
“The climate change department has got to go. Gone. Finished,” he declared. “Restrictions on us getting oil out of the Great Australian Bight and other areas has got to go.”
“Otherwise, you’re not going to change the weather. You’re just going to change your standard of living. You are going to become poorer,” Joyce warned.
Refinery Fire Exposes Vulnerabilities
A fire at the Viva Energy refinery in Geelong’s Corio facility erupted Wednesday night due to a gas leak from faulty equipment in an alkylation unit. The blaze lasted 13 hours and is under investigation, with operations now at 80% capacity pending safety checks.
Joyce highlights Australia’s reduced refining capacity, now down to one major facility. “We’ve blown up our electricity grid, we’ve shut down our fuel refining,” he said. “We’re down to one fuel refiner. Well done. Congratulations. Genius.”
He cautions that reliance on foreign suppliers leaves Australia exposed, as exporting nations may prioritize domestic needs amid global disruptions.
“Sooner or later, they’re going to start keeping this fuel at home. I can assure you of that,” Joyce stated. “The slower we are, the harder it’s going to get.”
Joyce describes current policies as “insanity,” predicting declining living standards without urgent energy and fuel reforms. “We’ve got to try and manage this with the crazy cards we’ve been dealt. But make no mistake – we are in strife.”
