Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. Is the Premier actively considering declaring a state of emergency in relation to the fuel crisis?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:02): In answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question directly, earlier this week as part of the national cabinet process all states and territories, along with the federal government, agreed to a four-step national plan that very clearly outlined the steps that would need to be pursued should the current fuel crisis that is being caused as a result of Donald Trump’s war in Iran worsen – steps that we would take together as a nation. It also outlined, and it was understood, that states and territories, reflecting the differences within their jurisdictions, have responsibilities around their legislative arrangements. It is why this week we have put to the Parliament legislative change to ensure that we can, here in Victoria, secure the data and information we need from fuel suppliers to help inform our decision-making processes around ensuring that supply gets to where it needs to go and also work in with that federal national plan that has been agreed to. I assume the Leader of the Opposition is referring to –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question was very simple: is the Premier considering a state of emergency?

The SPEAKER: The Premier is being relevant to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I was going to give the Leader of the Opposition some credit that her question may have been informed by the move of the Western Australian Premier to enact such arrangements in his state. I have been in regular communication with the Western Australian Premier. The reason why the Western Australian Premier has taken those steps is to ensure that same mechanism that I just referred to that we have deployed through the legislative change we have made this week, and the same outcome that he needs in his state is through that mechanism. That is the reason why the Western Australian government has pursued that approach. It is not an approach –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question was not about Western Australia, it was about Victoria.

The SPEAKER: The Premier was explaining why she is answering the question in this manner.

Jacinta ALLAN: It is for that reason that we do not need to pursue those arrangements that Western Australia have deployed. I have gone to some lengths today to step through it, not just for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal–National opposition but indeed for all Victorians to understand the steps that we need to take here in Victoria. Governments around the world are dealing with the consequences of Donald Trump’s war in Iran, and as a result leaders around the world need to be leading in a way that explains carefully in a considered, calm way to their communities the actions that need to be taken, and that is absolutely what I will continue to do, despite what those opposite may wish to choose to do.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): Can the Premier provide an assurance to anxious Victorians that there will be enough fuel to get them home from the Easter holidays?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:07): Let me be absolutely clear. The Prime minister and every state and territory leader around the nation are giving this same message to the Australian community – that there is enough fuel, there is enough supply for normal demand over this period of time ahead. For anyone to be suggesting otherwise, for anyone to be causing fear and concern about these matters –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, this is an important question about an important issue, not an opportunity for the Premier to sledge.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has answered the question already, but the Premier can come back to answering that question without any sledging.

Jacinta ALLAN: I will continue to do everything I can to support the Victorian community with the information and certainty they need and the support and the assistance they need as a result of the huge pressure that is being put on households. I reject any fearmongering and scaremongering approach by the leader of the Victorian Liberal Party.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Members will be removed from the chamber if this continues.