Nationals leader Matt Canavan blasts Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s ‘admission of defeat’ on fuel

Nationals leader Matt Canavan says Anthony Albanese’s announcement of a proposed new oil refinery in Western Australia is an “admission of failure” of his government’s policies.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday unveiled a proposal to build Australia’s first new refinery in 60 years.

“Yesterday’s announcement is an admission of defeat, an admission of failure from this government that their net zero policies have failed,” Mr Canavan told Today Show host Sam Armytage.

“I don’t see how you can be saying you’re pursuing net zero if you want to build oil refineries.”

Senator Canavan also said the Albanese government couldn’t be trusted and their net zero policies had been a “massive handbrake on our economy”.

“It stopped us from using our natural resources like our oil, like our coal, like our gas to lower energy prices and the cost of living for Australians,” he said, in a discussion alongside independent MP Allegra Spender.

“I don’t believe you can trust the Labor Party, who are tied to the Greens.

“They’re effectively a Coalition with the Greens and the Teals like Allegra, who don’t want to see any of this stuff built, and so they won’t do any of it.”

Senator Canavan had previously supported the project and embraced the idea of more projects that use Australia’s natural resources.

“I’d love to see a new oil refinery built, but to do that we’ve got to get rid of Labor’s carbon taxes,” he told News24 on Monday.

“I think it’s a very momentous day in Australian politics because today is clearly the death knell to net zero,” he said in a later appearance on the Bolt Report.

Ms Spender also critiqued the prime minister’s announcement, saying Australia lacked the natural resources to sustain oil supply amid ongoing global conflict.

“Australia actually doesn’t have the crude oil that is going to be most useful for managing this transition,” she said.

“Let’s be honest about what Australian families should be doing and are doing right now if they want energy security.”

Mr Albanese announced a feasibility study into the opening of an oil refinery in Western Australia on Tuesday.

The proposed refinery would join the two existing refineries in Geelong and Brisbane and mark the newest addition in 60 years.

Mr Albanese described the decision as a way to “build up our resilience as a nation” as prices continue to fluctuate.

“This refinery would create thousands of jobs, boost the local economy and help to secure Australia’s fuel security, particularly diesel for regional communities in WA,” he said in a media release.

“My government will continue to do everything we can to shield Australia from the worst effects – and set us up for the future.