Television Interview, Sunrise

SUBJECTS: Conflict in the Middle East; Fuel supply

NATALIE BARR, HOST: We're joined by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, live in Canberra. Good morning to you. Is this fuel from our stockpile going straight to the regions today?

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Look, the regions are being targeted in terms of the release of the 20% of the stockpile. I mean, part of it will go around the country, but there is a particular emphasis on the regions as areas that are most significantly in need at this moment.

BARR: So when do you think it will arrive in those regional areas? Because we've got some petrol stations that, as you've seen, haven't got any fuel.

MARLES: Yeah, look, I mean, this is going to take some time to come through. We are hopeful that it happens over the coming days. As we have worked with the fuel companies who hold the stockpile, that's the indication that they have been able to give back to us. But we are doing everything we can to make sure that this fuel gets into the hands of consumers as quickly as possible.

BARR: Ok, so probably a few days. We've got lots of feedback. Farmers — Terry from Casino in NSW, Brett from Quambatook in Victoria — they are proposing people in the cities ditch their cars, start using more public transport to save fuel for those regions. What do you think of that idea?

MARLES: Well, firstly, we really understand the challenges that people are facing, and that's why we are wanting to do everything we can in our power to get fuel out there into the petrol stations so that consumers can get them. Our message to Australians right now is actually to go about your business as you normally would. That's what matters at this moment. You know, we're not suggesting that people take particular steps which are different to what they had before, but what we are seeking to do is to get those fuel supplies out there, as we speak. In fact, the same amount of fuel is coming into the country as it always has. But clearly, you know, we are mindful of what's playing out in the Middle East and, you know, we can't say how long this conflict will go. And with that in mind, we are trying to make sure that we are as prudent as possible about what happens in the coming weeks and months.

BARR: So no rationing at this stage?

MARLES: No.

BARR: One of Australia's biggest manufacturers says packaging costs have surged up to 50%. We're talking milk bottles, meat trays, yoghurt tubs, soft drink and sauce bottles, shampoo takeaway containers — the list goes on. Are Australians about to see another spike at the checkout because of that?

MARLES: Well, again, we, I mean, there's a few things to say about that. Like, clearly, what's playing out in the Middle East has the potential to have an impact on the economy, not just here but around the world. It will have an inflationary pressure, we are well aware of that. At the same time, we're also working with the ACCC to make sure that we don't see retailers or anyone in the supply chain price gouging this moment. It's really important, again, that from their perspective they are doing things as they normally would and that the way in which the supply chain is operating reflects the actual situation that people, companies, are facing. And so we very much have the ACCC doing what it needs to do in terms of policing all of that. Again, we come back to the, you know, the fundamental unanswerable here, and that is how long will this conflict go on? And we don't know the answer to that, but we are doing everything in our power to prepare our country for the future.

BARR: A new poll out this morning has 40% of Aussies blaming your government for the rising costs, though. Do you have a perception problem from the electorate?

MARLES: Well, I mean, look, we go about our work each and every day to try and deal with the challenge of cost of living. We've actually been doing that since the moment that we came to government. And you can look at a range of measures that we put in terms of tax cut relief and the like, which has been around trying to help Australians deal with the pressures of the cost of living. Right now, I think Australians can see what's going on internationally, and that's clearly having an impact on inflation.

BARR: Ok, Richard Marles, thank you very much for your time this morning.

MARLES: Thanks, Nat.