Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to consider catching public transport over coming weeks to save fuel for critical industries in an extraordinary televised address.
Appearing live across the country at 7pm AEDT, the Prime Minister called on Australians to nonetheless “enjoy your Easter” in the first address of its kind since the Covid pandemic.
“If you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need – just fill up like you normally would,” Mr Albanese said.
“Think of others in your community, in the bush and in critical industries.
“Over coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so.
“That builds our reserves and it saves fuel for people who have no choice but to drive.
“Farmers and miners and tradies who need diesel, every single day. And all those shift workers and nurses, who do so much for our country.”
Mr Albanese warned the months ahead “may not be easy”, and that no government could promise to eliminate all pressures caused by the war in the Middle East.
“I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it,” he said.
“These are uncertain times. But I am absolutely certain of this: we will deal with these global challenges, the Australian way.
“Working together – and looking after each other. As we always have.”
Under pressure from the Opposition, Mr Albanese also made his case for Labor’s action on the crisis on Wednesday, including a cut to fuel excise, adoption of the National Fuel Security Plan by national cabinet, and the temporary removal of the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge.
“We are working to bring the price of fuel down,” Mr Albanese said.
“To make more fuel here and to keep it onshore.
“And get more fuel here – using our strong trading relationships with our region to bring more petrol, diesel and fertiliser to Australia.”
However, Mr Albanese was already facing pressure before the address had even taken place.
Asked by Opposition Leader Angus Taylor during question time since the Prime Minister on Tuesday said fuel supplies had not changed in order to prompt the national address, Mr Albanese said “nothing has changed”.
“The issues are real. The war in the Middle East is real,” he said.
The address, broadcast live across all TV networks and radio networks simultaneously at 7pm AEDT on Wednesday, is the first of its kind since the Covid pandemic.
On March 12, 2020, then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed the nation about the unprecedented crisis.
Former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd addressed the nation in 2008 amid the global financial crisis, while John Howard made an address following the announcement Australian troops would be sent to Iraq.
In his address, Mr Albanese maintained “Australia is not an active participant in this war”.
“But, all Australians are paying higher prices because of it,” he said.
Mr Albanese is also expected to front the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday.
National Fuel Security Plan
His comments follow Australia’s adoption of a National Fuel Security Plan finalised with the support of states and territories last week.
The plan comprises of four stages.
The first – Plan and Prepare – means the business-as-usual operation of fuel supply, with government monitoring impacts of global factors, but Mr Albanese told reporters last week, Australia was “clearly” beyond that.
The nation is currently at level two – Keep Australia Moving – where fuel supply continues to operate effectively, but localised supply disruptions occur, and the government is taking precautionary actions to shore up fuel supply.
It also includes the voluntary component of Australians choosing to use less fuel to avoid the impact of higher fuel prices.
The third stage – Taking Targeted Action – is defined by ongoing supply disruptions and the adoption of voluntary practical measures to limit fuel use, while the fourth – Protecting Critical Services For All Australians – is classified by ongoing supply disruptions that require government action to ensure critical users are protected and the economy remains open and operating.
National addresses have previously been delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic and Global Financial Crisis, by then-prime ministers Scott Morrison and Kevin Rudd, respectively.
