Canberra [Australia], April 1 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday told the nation the months ahead “may not be easy” as fuel supplies face disruption amid the West Asia crisis.
Albanese said National Cabinet on Monday adopted a National Fuel Security Plan to help prepare for prolonged supply disruption. “The months ahead may not be easy. I want to be upfront about that. No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing. I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it,” he said, adding that Australians will respond “the Australian way, working together and looking after each other.”
He said leaders across political lines supported the Plan so the Commonwealth, states and territories can coordinate next steps if global conditions worsen and fuel supplies are seriously disrupted over the long term.
To ease cost pressures immediately, the government has halved the fuel excise for three months, cutting the tax on every litre of petrol by 26 cents, with savings already appearing at the pump. The heavy vehicle road user charge has been reduced to zero for the same period. “Both these measures will be in place for the next three months. We are working to bring the price of fuel down, to make more fuel here and to keep it on shore and get more fuel here,” Albanese said.
Noting Australia is not an active participant in the Middle East war, Albanese acknowledged Australians are nevertheless feeling the impact: “The war in the Middle East has caused the biggest spike in petrol and diesel prices in history. Australia is not an active participant in this war, but all Australians are paying higher prices because of it. I know that you’re seeing this at the servo and at the supermarket.”
He warned the economic effects will persist for months and urged community measures to conserve fuel: avoid hoarding, only fill up as needed, consider public transport where possible to preserve fuel for those who must drive—farmers, miners, tradies, shift workers and nurses.
According to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the National Fuel Security Plan will coordinate a consistent response across jurisdictions and monitor and report fuel station supply, including diesel availability, among other duties. (ANI)
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