Source : Perth Now news
Earlier this week the Prime Minister was strongly encouraging Australians to proceed with their long weekend holiday plans, insisting “people should enjoy their Easter.”
“It’s important as well that we keep the economy going. Easter is an important time for tourism destinations, for jobs. They rely upon that. And I wish those people of faith as well, a holy Easter,” he said on Monday.
His comments came as he unveiled a $2.55 billion halving of the fuel excise, with the Treasurer telling motorists the move would deliver a whooping $19 discount when filling up a 65-litre vehicle.
Tonight, Anthony Albanese will again be addressing the nation, but with a very different tone, and a grim sign that the worst is yet to come in the global oil crisis.
In his nationally televised address at 7pm Canberra time, the PM will outline the government’s response to the Middle East conflict and “encourage Australians to play their part”.
The Nightly understands the pre-recorded comments will be broadcast live across all TV and radio networks simultaneously, and Australians will be asked to save fuel for the areas and industries that need it.
Prime ministers have in the past notably delivered national addresses during monumentally disruptive events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Global Financial Crisis.
During the past two weeks of Parliament, the Prime Minister and Energy Minister Chris Bowen have delivered regular words of assurance for Australians that fuel supplies were continuing to flow into the country, even above the levels expected before the crisis.
Now, the government’s messaging is changing again, undoubtedly causing confusion if not panic for many in the population.
There will be renewed scrutiny of this week’s decision to finally cave to pressure by slashing the fuel excise by 26.3 cents per litre, a move which essentially encouraged motorists to keep driving at their usual rate.
Recent analysis from JP Morgan has warned that if Iran continues to strangle the Strait of Hormuz deliveries of oil to Australia could dramatically slow from late April.
Later today Anthony Albanese will outline the government’s latest response to the Middle East conflict, and its plans to secure and conserve petrol for areas and industries that need it most.
Tomorrow, it will President Donald Trump’s turn, as the US President also delivers an address from the White House on the war in the Middle East.
