The fact that Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, addressed the nation on TV this week to offer insight into the challenges faced by Australia due to the Iran conflict and subsequent fuel crisis is a clear indication of the seriousness of the situation.
PMs have previously delivered national addresses during major events such as the Covid pandemic and the global financial crisis of 2008.
While Mr Albanese urged all Australians ‘to do their bit’, he also asked them to go about their lives as normal.
“If you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need – just fill up like you normally would,” he said. “Think of others in your community, in the bush and in critical industries … and, over coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so.”
Is it time for grey nomads to find a nice spot, and just stay put for a while? PIC: Mackay Regional Council
Mr Albanese said that, by nature, Australia was an optimistic country, but he recognised it was hard to be positive in the current circumstances.
“The war in the Middle East has caused the biggest spike in petrol and diesel prices in history,” he said. “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.”
Mr Albanese said that the National Fuel Security Plan adopted by National Cabinet this week would help make sure the country was prepared.
“So, that if the global situation gets worse and our fuel supplies are seriously disrupted over the long term, we can co-ordinate the next steps together,” he said.
The PM said the decision to cut the tax on every litre of petrol by 26 cents was already seeing savings show up at the petrol station, and the measure would 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 onshore,” he said. “And get more fuel here – using our strong trading relationships with our region to bring more petrol, diesel and fertiliser to Australia.”
Mr Albanese said while no government could promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing, he would be doing everything he could to protect Australia from the worst of it.
“These are uncertain times, he said. “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.”
For grey nomads though, particularly those travelling full-time or a long way from their home base, the uncertainty is deeply unsettling and it is very difficult to know what the right thing to do is.
Many regional communities are strongly dependent on the economic benefits that the nomad influx brings and are urging visitors to keep coming, but there is also an awareness that farmers, truckies and rural residents are totally dependent on the availability of fuel.
As the Prime Minister said last night, these are indeed ‘uncertain times’.
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Where did this idiot come from saying things like ” Live as normal”,,, he is a complete fool who has not the slightest idea of the repercussions of this war has upon our country. It’s beyond time he went west,, permanently !!
Now, now Lawrence, the only person to blame is Trump, king of USA and an utter fool. This war and it’s effects are certainly not limited to Australia. Every country in the world is experiencing the same problems.
What the PM was trying to do was calm people down (obviously did not work for you) in the meantime we have media promoting the doomsday scenario from the other side of politics.
how come a lot of places dont have fuel problems we have plenty of fuel you need to do more homework
We are holding back on a decision to visit WA from Brissy. We wanted to leave in Spring . A lot can happen in that time. Meantime, our only use of fuel is for essential trips.
I have noticed that both the Treasurer, Prime Minister and others in government are using acknowledgement of our situation in our daily life. That is only the first step in active listening.
I voted for them to care for us and our country’s interests.
None of their words are inspiring my confidence.
So, no. I reckon we’ll be sitting it out for at least another year to do our perhaps, last huge trip.
Same here.
Go home and wait.
Trip to WA cancelled :
, I’m in Lochsport Victoria and there is a rule in place now on the Easter weekend, where NO jerry cans or Boats are to be filled,,
Soon it will be cars towing vans
Why blame the Australian Government? Trump initiated this illegal war without going through the USA Congress. Nor did he consult with his allies, he just gave the order and started blasting away.
Trump is now blaming us and other allied countries for not joining in, the man is a nutcase.
Contrary to popular belief we don’t have much crude oil in Australia, some gas wells produce some light condensate but any crude oil is probably not economical to recover, so most fossil fuels are imported some as crude but primarily as refined fuels costing the country $billions.
We are just pensioners but 4 years we got solar and batteries and 2 years ago we bought an EV, best decision we ever made, no power bills or fuel bills. We still have our small caravan which does us well and still tow with our EV.
The other day I did a trip out west, 812km. I worked out the cost which was $50.06 which is 6.2cents/km, if I had taken the diesel we used to have the current cost would have at least 25cents/km.
No one is blaming the Australian Government for the war, we do however have cause to criticise the government (both current and past) for the failure in not having the 90 day reserves in Australia.
Yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing, why not a 180 day reserve or a year or two’s worth?
The real problem for Australia is the reliance on fossil fuels. We found that out during the 1970’s, if you are old enough to remember.
We need to get off the reliance on fossil fuels and the best way is to electrify everything, home, car, transport and industry and believe it or not that is happening now, too slow for my liking but nevertheless it is happening.
I agree with all the above comments, however, I’m dombfounded as to the fact that trump (yes lower case t on purpose) was initially voted into power the previous time & then the IDIOTS, yes IDIOTS, voted the guy in a second time having experienced his first term. Ok Americans deserve what they are getting, they are obviously SLOW LEARNERS, once again the world is suffering because of their decision on their votes. I’m not going to make my own thoughts available though I do agree with quite a few others on what would best be DONE with trump.
Our plans were to be leaving mid April for our first leg of the big lap we are newly retired .
The question has been do we or don’t we? Honestly at this point leaving North Queensland doesnt look like its going to happen.