❓ The question highlights a WA mining company standing down staff due to fuel shortages and asks the Premier to explain the situation given the state's reliance on diesel and government announcements. The Premier acknowledges the issue, outlines government actions to address fuel security, and mentions specific efforts for Kalgoorlie and support for affected individuals.
AnsweredQoN 146Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Fuel supply—Mining operations
146. Mr Shane Love to
the Premier:
I refer to reports
that fuel shortages have forced a Western Australia mining company to stand
down two-thirds of its workforce. This comes as industry operators warn that
they have received no clear assurance from government that fuel supply will be
secure, with some reporting that they are unable to obtain the diesel needed to
continue operating. Given Western Australia's economy runs on diesel, and
despite all the Premier's announcements including today's brief ministerial
statement, how can he explain a situation where mining operations are shutting
down due to fuel supply disruption?
146. Mr Shane Love to
the Premier:
I refer to reports
that fuel shortages have forced a Western Australia mining company to stand
down two-thirds of its workforce. This comes as industry operators warn that
they have received no clear assurance from government that fuel supply will be
secure, with some reporting that they are unable to obtain the diesel needed to
continue operating. Given Western Australia's economy runs on diesel, and
despite all the Premier's announcements including today's brief ministerial
statement, how can he explain a situation where mining operations are shutting
down due to fuel supply disruption?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question.
We know that fuel
security and anxiety about fuel security is an important issue for Western
Australians, particularly regional Western Australians, where the fuel supply
chains are not as resilient. That is why we held our fuel security round table
last week. That is why we made sure that we stood up our fuel industry operational
group, which is meeting daily to respond to the needs of the community and
industry in relation to their fuel needs. We are making sure to do things such
as the work by the Minister for Transport to allow heavier vehicles to travel
on the roads so we can get out bigger fuel supplies; and that the Minister for
Energy and Decarbonisation, as the chair of the industry operational group, can
work directly with industry and distributors to make sure we get that fuel out
there. Our state has acted faster than any other state in Australia to make
sure that we address these issues. We know that our economy is dependent upon
these important fuel sources. That is why we are continuing to work with
industry and fuel distributors to see what extra resources and supplies we can
get out.
Blue Cap Mining's
announcement is concerning. Obviously, we will reach out to the company to make
sure that we understand their circumstances and how we can assist them to
overcome their current anxieties in relation to that. We are prioritising
getting fuel to Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields, as it was identified as a
priority area for fuel distribution in the inaugural meeting of the fuel industry
operational group. We are acting. We are making sure that we get the fuel out
to the communities that need it. Last week I spoke to Newdegate farmers Davina
and her husband about their anxieties and concerns. I said to them that we
understand that there are short-term shortages and we understand that is
impacting on them, but most importantly, it is impacting on their mental
health. We understand that at this particular point in time, it is difficult.
That is why we are acting to get more resources, more fuel and more
opportunities to get fuel to these communities.
for the question.
We know that fuel
security and anxiety about fuel security is an important issue for Western
Australians, particularly regional Western Australians, where the fuel supply
chains are not as resilient. That is why we held our fuel security round table
last week. That is why we made sure that we stood up our fuel industry operational
group, which is meeting daily to respond to the needs of the community and
industry in relation to their fuel needs. We are making sure to do things such
as the work by the Minister for Transport to allow heavier vehicles to travel
on the roads so we can get out bigger fuel supplies; and that the Minister for
Energy and Decarbonisation, as the chair of the industry operational group, can
work directly with industry and distributors to make sure we get that fuel out
there. Our state has acted faster than any other state in Australia to make
sure that we address these issues. We know that our economy is dependent upon
these important fuel sources. That is why we are continuing to work with
industry and fuel distributors to see what extra resources and supplies we can
get out.
Blue Cap Mining's
announcement is concerning. Obviously, we will reach out to the company to make
sure that we understand their circumstances and how we can assist them to
overcome their current anxieties in relation to that. We are prioritising
getting fuel to Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields, as it was identified as a
priority area for fuel distribution in the inaugural meeting of the fuel industry
operational group. We are acting. We are making sure that we get the fuel out
to the communities that need it. Last week I spoke to Newdegate farmers Davina
and her husband about their anxieties and concerns. I said to them that we
understand that there are short-term shortages and we understand that is
impacting on them, but most importantly, it is impacting on their mental
health. We understand that at this particular point in time, it is difficult.
That is why we are acting to get more resources, more fuel and more
opportunities to get fuel to these communities.
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