Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned the economic shocks of the war in the Middle East would be felt for months and encouraged citizens to take public transport in a rare address to the nation on Wednesday (1 April).
The address was broadcast simultaneously across major television and radio networks at 7 p.m. (0800 GMT). Similar addresses were made by previous prime ministers during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2008 global financial crisis.
Australia, which imports about 90% of its fuel, has seen petrol prices surge and experienced localised shortages as a result of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
"I understand that right now it’s hard to be positive," Albanese said. "The war in the Middle East has caused the biggest spike in petrol and diesel prices in history. Australia is not an active participant in this war. But all Australians are paying higher prices because of it."
"The economic shocks caused by this war will be with us for months," he added.
Albanese encouraged citizens to "do their bit" to ease pressure on fuel supplies, such as not stockpiling fuel ahead of the Easter holidays, which begin this week, and taking public transport.
"If you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need- just fill up like you normally would. Think of others in your community, in the bush and in critical industries," he said.
The month-long conflict has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies and threatening to send the global economy into a tailspin.
Albanese said the coming months "may not be easy" but said the government would do everything it could to help Australians.
Earlier this week, the government announced it would halve the excise on petrol and diesel and remove the heavy-road-user charge for three months to help households cope with a surge in costs driven by the war, at a cost to the government of around A$2.55 billion ($1.75 billion).
Australia has its highest fuel stocks in 15 years, but they are still far below the International Energy Agency recommendation of 90 days.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Wednesday small businesses affected by the war would be given easier access to credit.
"We know that the fallout is affecting everyone, but we believe that by working together, if everybody does their bit, we can get through this difficult period," Chalmers told reporters.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 Apr...
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations ag...
Georgia’s parliament has approved fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Grants, introducing new exemptions and ...
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partn...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of ...
Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.
Azerbaijan and Russia have announced a formal settlement over the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 near Aktau, confirming that all outstanding issues, including compensation, have been resolved.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Türkiye is reeling after a second school shooting in as many days, after a 14-year-old student killed nine people - eight pupils and one teacher - and wounded 13 others at a middle school in the south-eastern province of Kahramanmaraş on Wednesday, officials said.
North Korea is making “very serious” advances in its nuclear weapons capabilities, with signs of a new uranium enrichment facility and increased activity at a key complex, the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi has said.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
Commander of Pakistan’s Army Field Marshal Asim Munir is visiting Tehran for high-level talks as Islamabad steps up mediation efforts to host renewed de-escalation talks between Iran and the U.S.
A second U.S.-sanctioned supertanker has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despite a U.S. blockade on vessels visiting Iranian ports.
Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment