former spy chief quits antisemitism royal commission; government battles fuel supply questions amid panic buying

Question time began as the opposition continued its attack on the government on the fuel issue. The opposition has been attacking the government throughout this week, claiming Australia is facing fuel shortages due to the government’s mismanagement of onshore supplies amid conflict in the Middle East.

The government has repeatedly argued that there is no supply problem, but rather panic buying is affecting access to fuel.

“We continue to see ships carrying fuel in the quantities and frequency we expect. The longer the conflict in the Middle East continues, the more significant the impact on the global economy will be,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in response to a question from Opposition Leader Angus Taylor about fuel supplies.

Albanese repeated his claim that it was “unhelpful” for the Coalition to suggest there was a fuel supply problem, which the government said was causing fuel panic.

“At the end of the day, there are a lot of things that are in the supply chain or are coming, and we are doing everything to prevent any disruptions in the future.”