Australia must immediately begin drilling for oil and gas and restore Australia's domestic refining capacity, warning the nation must never again be left vulnerable to overseas fuel supplies.
Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council candidate Lyle Shelton has called on state and federal governments to act now in the face of the unfolding global instability and fuel supply pressures which had exposed a dangerous failure of by both sides of politics.
"Australia should never be in a position where our economy, our farmers and our families are dependent on foreign nations for something as critical as liquid fuel," Mr Shelton said.
"Family First is calling for an urgent, coordinated national effort to unlock domestic reserves like Queensland's Taroom Trough and to rebuild the refining capacity we have foolishly allowed to disappear."
Mr Shelton said the long-running stigmatisation of fossil fuels by Labor, the Greens, Teals and Liberal "moderates" had weakened Australia's sovereignty and economic resilience.
"This ideological hostility to oil and gas must stop. These resources are not the problem — they are the solution to keeping Australia moving and our economy strong," he said.
"With the right leadership, Australia has the resources to be completely self-sufficient in oil and gas. The opportunity is there — but governments must act."
Mr Shelton said starting now was critical to preparing for future crises.
"If we begin drilling, refining and storing our own fuel today, we will be far better prepared for the next global shock," he said.
"Family First believes the first responsibility of government is to put Australia first. That means restoring sovereign capability in critical industries like energy."
Mr Shelton said fuel security must now be treated as a national priority.
"This is about national security, economic stability and the cost of living. Sovereign fuel capability must be restored as a matter of urgency."
