Treasurer Jim Chalmers responds to latest inflation figures; question time returns to Parliament House in Canberra

The coalition has continued its attack on Energy Minister Chris Bowen as it seeks to blame Labor leaders for fuel shortages across the country.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament House earlier today, Liberal deputy leader Jane Hume asked: “Where is the plan to deal with this problem? [the crisis]? Delegating the issue to the national czar, who has yet to come up with a distribution and supply plan, is an abdication of Chris Bowen’s responsibilities.

“He is frankly a minister in over his head. We need to hear more from the government to give Australians the confidence and certainty they need and to ensure our economy continues on track in the face of challenges in the Middle East.”

Hume said the Coalition’s stance of blaming the government was fair despite the global nature of the issue, saying: “It is quite fair and reasonable to say that the government’s responsibility is to come up with a plan to deal with the issue.”

He then continued:

This is not a government in control of the situation. It seems like something different happens every day. Now we’re getting daily updates from premiers across the country about where this fuel shortage is and how many gas stations and bowsers are being affected by this shortage. “This doesn’t look like a government in control.”