Petroleum Reporting (Miscellaneous Amendments) bill 2026 (No 11)

Thursday 26 March 2026

Pass all stages

[10.26 p.m.]

Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Thank you, Mr President. I believe I do my job properly. I listen to the briefings. We have an emergency and a crisis, and I agree with the member for Hobart. As the member for Hobart said, she was surprised that she was agreeing with the government at the time, and I'm agreeing with the member for Hobart, and I take offence if people say we don't do our job properly as an Independent if I'm prepared to proceed with the bill tonight. I look at it, I've heard the briefings, I understand that we have an emergency and a crisis. I agree again with the member for Hobart, when I actually looked at the act and I also heard in the briefings that half of the bill, the part with capping, is simply avoidance of doubt ‑ that it's already there. I've read it myself. It's actually there in section 6.

Ms Forrest - Price is not there, only sale; and there's an argument about whether sale and price are the same power. Commissioning a direction, that's not there.

Ms ARMITAGE - I think I have the floor, thank you. I do take offence that people say if we proceed with it as an Independent, not having the backing of a party, that we're not doing our job properly. It is a crisis and this is an emergency and I certainly will be proceeding with it tonight. I don't have an issue with the bill. I believe it's important that we proceed with it. Just because we're proceeding with it doesn't actually mean that the government are actually going to do anything about capping prices. As I said, there's not a lot to say apart from the fact I don't believe as an independent that we can't make decisions without party backing. We had a very intensive briefing. I understood the briefing and I'm prepared to move forward.

Second reading stage

Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr. President, I just have a short contribution. In normal circumstances, we would take more time, we would consult widely and make a decision, and I agree that this process is not ideal. However, these are unprecedented and uncertain times. To my mind, we take every bill on its merit and I accept the urgency on this occasion. I respect every member's right on whether or not to support the bill or wish to deal with it. It is rushed and not ideal, but these are not ideal circumstances.

I've read everything I could find on the bill, including relevant parts of the Petroleum Products Emergency Act 1994, and I'm satisfied this bill needs to be dealt with as soon as practical practicable. There's no doubt in my mind that this is an emergency and a crisis and for that reason needs to be dealt with without delay.

While we're told there's not a shortage of fuel at this time, not knowing how much fuel is in the tanks leaves us in doubt. While it's understandable some retailers may prefer not to disclose the amount of fuel available, I believe it is in the public interest for that information to be available. It's hoped that penalties won't need to be applied and that retailers provide the information requested. It's essential we have that information. It's also important that the general public have real time access to the Fuel Check app that informs Tasmanians of fuel outages at retailers.

As mentioned in the second reading speech, the bill enables the government to get access to information from fuel companies quicker, ensuring the community can be informed. In briefings, we were told the fuel price capping section is already provided in the Petroleum Products Emergency Act 1994 and its addition in this bill is simply for the avoidance of doubt. It's important to note that such power can only be used during a period of emergency declared by the Governor. I understand that debate held without sufficient public consultation can damage trust in the process but unfortunately there are times when the situation demands it.

I acknowledge the email from the Chamber of Industries and also a fuel retailer, and, as mentioned, in normal circumstances, we would take whatever time necessary to consult and work through the bill. To my mind, these are not normal times and in the circumstances I believe it appropriate to debate the Bill.