Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has warned against “heavy-handed mandates” that may “restrict people’s freedoms” in a rival speech and rebuke of Anthony Albanese’s extraordinary televised address.
Speaking in a prerecorded message that will be broadcast on the ABC on Thursday night, Mr Taylor accused the government of having failed to “act with urgency” since the outbreak of war in the Middle East more than one month ago.
“In a crisis, Australians deserve a government that’s transparent and gives you the facts every day,” he said.
“Instead it’s taken persistent Coalition questioning in parliament for this government to release any information.”
Addressing the Prime Minister’s widely panned speech, Mr Taylor said he would not “talk down” to Australians.
“Almost all Australians will do the right and responsible things in this crisis,” he said.
“We’re a compassionate people with mateship at our core.”
Mr Taylor called on the government to “come clean”, especially after Western Australia declared a state of emergency earlier this week.
“The risk ahead of us is a patchwork of different rules across the country that leave Australians uncertain,” he said.
“We don’t want to see heavy-handed mandates that restrict people’s freedoms, and governments must be honest with us about taking any such steps.”
The Albanese government has denied an intention to implement emergency fuel powers.
Mr Taylor outlined three demands of Mr Albanese: outline how fuel will get to where it is needed in the short term, develop a “longer-term plan so Australia never finds itself in this position again”, and fast-track mineral exploration projects – a proposal widely dismissed by the government.
“We need more Australian oil for Australians. We have the resources beneath our feet to secure our future,” he said.
“The Prime Minister and Treasurer must use the upcoming budget not just to respond to this crisis but to set our country up for the future.
“The bigger task ahead is to rebuild an economy that’s resilient, competitive and capable of delivering rising living standards.”
“With strong leadership, we can restore our standard of living. And with inspired leadership, we can rediscover confidence in ourselves at a time when we must look after ourselves and put Australia first.”
Albanese’s message panned
A three-minute message from Mr Albanese was broadcast across Australia’s major TV and radio stations at 6pm on Wednesday, the first time a leader has made such an address since the Covid pandemic.
His address was immediately widely panned for lack of substance.
Mr Taylor was among the chorus of politicians and pundits who panned Mr Albanese’s rare televised speech.
On Thursday morning, he told ABC Radio the speech was unnecessary and “could have been a social media post”.
“At a time when Australians are wondering whether they can get away on their Easter holidays … what they need is confidence,” he said.
“They need clarity, not confusion. And last night’s address didn’t help. It could have been a social media post.”
Mr Albanese told Australians during his address to “enjoy your Easter”, but encouraged motorists to switch to public transport over coming weeks to save fuel for critical industries and frontline services.
“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.
He went on to warn that 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.
Shortly after, Sky News commentator Andrew Bolt called the address an “unpaid advertisement” about “what a great job” the PM had been doing.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson accused Mr Albanese of having “hijacked every TV and radio channel in the country last night to say … not a lot”.
“Australia is clearly heading towards fuel rationing if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Why can’t the Prime Minister be upfront about that?” she said in a social media post.
“If we’re headed that way, we should start rationing now instead of pretending everything’s okay.
Senator Hanson claimed One Nation had “led the way in this crisis”.
Antoinette Lattouf, who was sacked from the ABC over her stance on the war in Gaza, said in a tweet the address had “email energy”.
