Albanese said Australians should “go about your business and life as normal” but urged drivers not to take on more fuel than they need ahead of the Easter holiday and asked passengers to consider public transport.
He admitted that it was “hard to be optimistic” as the war in the Middle East “caused the biggest increase in the price of petrol and diesel in history”.
“Australia is not an active participant in this war, but all Australians are paying a high price for it,” he said.
“I know you see this at the servo and at the grocery store, and I understand the farmers and the truckers, the small businesses and the families are struggling, and the truth is, the economic stress caused by this war will be with us for many months.”
In light of the speech on the details and without new announcements aimed at solving this problem, Albanese said that the national cabinet has approved the fuel security policy and the leaders of both political parties are working to respond.
Albanese listed the 26-cent half-cent per liter fuel tax and the temporary removal of the heavy vehicle surcharge for truck drivers – passed by the Senate overnight – as key ways the government has helped.
“We’re working to lower the price of fuel, make more fuel here, and keep it offshore and get more fuel here, using our strong trade relationships with our region to bring more fuel, diesel and fertilizer to Australia,” Albanese said.
The Prime Minister said it was the “Australian way” for people to want to “get involved” to help.
“You should go about your business and your life as usual,” he said.
“Enjoy your Easter, and if you get on the road, don’t take more fat than you need.
“Fill in as you normally would. Think about other people in your area, country and industries that are struggling, and in the coming weeks if you have to switch to taking the train or bus or tram to work, do it.”
Albanese left voters with a parting message that “the coming months may not be easy”.
“No government can promise to end the pressures caused by this war,” he said.
“I can promise that we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it.
“These are uncertain times. But I am sure of this, we will deal with these global problems the Australian way, working together and looking out for each other, as we always have.”
‘This was less about plans and strategies’
Chief political editor Charles Croucher said there were not many details in the speech, but it was about assuring Australians that there is a plan to deal with this crisis.
“This was not so much about plans and policies,” he told A Current Affair’s Ally Langdon shortly after the address was broadcast.
“I felt like talking about the news and stopping any kind of whispering campaign, WhatsApp messages or Facebook status updates that say, ‘We’re going back to lock down’ – to stop now, before the long Easter week, when everyone is going home or going to family parties or going to have fun.”
Croucher says the government appears to be taking an “anti-COVID approach” to dealing with the fuel crisis.
“Remember five years ago, we all gathered to hear the prime minister say, if we stay in our house or leave their house tonight, it’s different from here.
“Now the prime minister says this is a long-term plan.
He is the one who will speak to the people again, this is where you can do it. This was not at all what you should do. “
The last time the Prime Minister gave a state of the nation address of this magnitude was in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Scott Morrison spoke to Australians on Thursday evening, March 2, as borders continue to close and the country enters the first of many lockdowns.
He outlined the government’s plans to manage the effects of the virus and assured Aussies that “we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with it”.
Almost 12 years before that, Kevin Rudd spoke to the public about the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008.
“I have full confidence that as a nation, we will get through these difficult times together,” he said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US President Donald Trump will “give important information to Iran” at 9pm on Wednesday (midday Thursday AEST).
Levitt’s announcement came hours after Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that US forces could leave Iran “in two or three weeks”.
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