Your Federal Member's Community Update

July 30, 2026

REGIONAL PUMP PAIN RETURNS

Escalations in the Middle East are once again driving up global oil prices and the end of the temporary fuel excise relief is resulting in sharp rises at the bowser.

Regional families, farmers, and transport operators across the Central West are facing another brutal financial squeeze at the pump. These price spikes highlight a massive, long-term failure: Australia's total lack of fuel and fertiliser independence.

In recent years, our ability to source and manufacture fuel and produce fertiliser on home soil has been severely degraded. Today, we refine less than 10% of our own petrol and diesel, relying on volatile overseas supply chains for over 90% of our fuel and 85% of our fertiliser. These are critical national security and economic issues. Australia cannot keep running on empty, held hostage by international conflicts and global market shocks. The Federal Government must face reality and build genuine sovereign fuel and fertiliser capability - sourcing and refining fuel right here and manufacturing our own fertiliser in Australia.

To tackle fuel gouging head-on, I introduced my Fair Fuel Price Bill into Parliament earlier this year. The Bill would give the Federal Government the power to set and control fuel prices at the bowser - just as was done during World War Two. It worked then, and it can work now. Unbelievably, neither Labor, the Liberals, the Nationals, nor One Nation supported it.

This new spike in prices shows that the Government's band-aid measures will not fix this structural crisis. This is why I intend to reintroduce my Fair Fuel Price Bill into Parliament and will keep pushing it until the major parties see common sense.

We don't need another round of wasteful Government advertising advising people on how to "save fuel". We need real solutions that control fuel prices like my Fair Fuel Price Bill.

SOUND OF SILENCE ON GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY CLOSURE

The sound of silence continues when it comes to the closure of the Great Western Highway.

I'm calling on the New South Wales and Australian governments to immediately disclose the extent of federal support for rectification works on the Convict Bridge, and to deliver meaningful assistance for businesses being devastated by this ongoing crisis.

On July 1, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure indicated federal support would be forthcoming, yet since then, there has been complete silence. Our communities deserve answers. Both governments must clearly state how much funding will be committed, how it will be used, and whether it will deliver more lanes rather than simply reinstating a single lane in each direction.

Just as importantly, both governments must provide meaningful financial assistance to businesses struggling to survive.

To date, the NSW Government's response has been pathetically inadequate - a token gesture that fails to recognise the enormous economic damage being inflicted. Local enterprises are being pushed to the brink through no fault of their own, carrying the burden of successive governments' negligence.

What's been needed from the outset is the type of ongoing support provided during COVID through JobKeeper. I again call on both governments to step up before more jobs are lost, more businesses close, and more damage is inflicted on our communities.

The continuing failure of both levels of government to provide meaningful support or to accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions remains a damning indictment on them.

Oberon RSL's Military Museum – worth the visit!

I always enjoy calling in to see Bill Wilcox and Neville Stapleton at Oberon RSL Sub-Branch!

The Sub-Branch hosts a very impressive military museum and you can see it:

Wednesday & Friday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Make sure you pay it a visit!

Thanks Bill and Neville for all the work you do to support our local veterans!

Australia's veterans. Always support them. Never forget them.

MEET WITH ME IN OBERON ON MONDAY

I'll be setting up a mobile office at the Oberon Library this coming Monday 3rd August from 10:30am to 12:30pm. If there are any issues you need a hand with or if you want to raise a matter with me, please drop by for a chat.

To ensure everyone gets the time they need - please call my office on 6361 7138 to book your appointment time.

Date: Monday 3rd August 2026
Location: Oberon Library
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Bookings: 6361 7138

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Authorised by Andrew Gee, MP, Suite 1/179A Anson Street, Orange NSW 2800