Opposition questions Premier about regional fuel shortages. Premier acknowledges supply constraints due to peak demand, not lack of supply, and blames opposition for politicising the issue and causing anxiety.

AnsweredQoN 121Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 March 2026
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

Fuel supply—Security
121. Mr Lachlan Hunter to
the Premier:
I have a
supplementary question. Does the Premier now accept that there is actually a
fuel shortage in regional Western Australia—yes or no?
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!

AnswerView source ↗

This pathetic effort
to politicise—
Several members
interjected.
Mr Roger Cook: This is a pathetic piece of political
opportunism to try to divide the community because of the situation we are in.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, please do not interject.
Ms Kim Giddens interjected.
The Speaker: Member for Bateman, that does not help.
Mr Roger Cook: This pathetic effort to politicise and
make the anxiety in the community even more enhanced is really not respectful
of the community.
Mr Shane Love interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the National Party, I have
continually asked the opposition not to interject. I am going to call you for
the first time as well.
Mr Roger Cook: We call on the opposition to stop it,
because we know that supplies of fuel are coming into Western Australia. We
know and have said, long before the opposition came to this debate, that there
are supply constraints in regional Western Australia because of the peak in
demand, not because of a lack of supply. Ultimately, we will get through this
immediate situation, but we need to understand that there may potentially be
further constraints down the line if the conflicts in Iran continue. As a
result of that, it is important we hold the fuel security round table to
understand how we can respond as a community. The opposition should be more
responsible, and it should stop spreading anxiety and concern.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members! Member for Central Wheatbelt, I
am calling you for the third time. I have asked you to stop interjecting.
Point of order
Dr Tony Buti: I have a point of order, Mr Speaker!
The Speaker: No, Attorney General, it is fine. I have
dealt with it. Carry on, Premier. Premier, you have concluded?
Mr Roger Cook: Yes.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more