US-Iran war updates: Albanese forecasts economic strife amid fuel crisis, calls on Aussies to ‘do their bit’

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the nation regarding the ongoing fuel crisis.

Read The Nightly’s full coverage on what the PM had to say, and what it means for you below.

On Wednesday night Anthony Albanese addressed the nation, but with a markedly different tone, and a grim sign that the worst is yet to come in the global oil crisis.

Now, that the Government’s messaging has clearly shifted, many Australians are likely to experience confusion, if not panic.

“These are uncertain times, but I’m 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,” Mr Albanese said, as the government tries to convey both a sense of urgency but also reassurance that the response is being managed properly.

Read the full analysis now

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just addressed the nation on the fuel crisis and warned Aussies that the economic pain caused by the Iran war won’t dissipate anytime soon.

Mr Albanese went against speculation that he would urge Aussies not to travel this Easter weekend in order to conserve fuel. Rather, he encouraged drivers to fill up as normal.

You can watch his full address below.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has just addressed the nation on the worsening fuel crisis.

He flagged months of economic strife in the country’s future and urged Australians to “do their bit” as the Government works to tackle rising fuel costs.

You can read his full speech at the link below.

Read the full speech here

Anthony Albanese has urged Australians to go about their business as normal in a national address designed to reassure and keep the economy running during the war-induced fuel crisis.

The Prime Minister asked people to think of their fellow Australians and conserve fuel, in a three-minute pre-recorded video simulcast across television and radio on Wednesday evening.

But he warned that “the months ahead may not be easy” and the economic shocks from the war would linger.

Read the full story here

Anthony Albanese has closed his nationwide address by telling Australians that the months ahead will not be easy.

“The months ahead may not be easy. I want to be upfront about that. No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing,” he said.

“I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it. These are uncertain times, but I’m 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.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used his nationwide address to call on Aussies to “do their bit” in helping tackle the fuel crisis.

The PM went against speculation that he would urge Aussies not to travel this Easter long weekend. Instead, he told road users not to “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. And over coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so.”

“That builds our reserves and it saves fuel for people who have no choice but to drive. Farmers and miners and tradies who need diesel every single day. And all those shift workers and nurses who do so much for our country.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is focussing his address on the Labor Government’s response to the fuel crisis as sparked by the Iran war.

The PM raised the National Fuel Security Plan, which was adopted by the National Cabinet, saying the plan’s purpose is to coordinate the country’s long-term response.

“If the global situation gets worse and our fuel supplies are seriously disrupted over the long term, we can coordinate the next steps together.”

As of Wednesday, the fuel excise was cut by 26 cents per litre of petrol while the heavy vehicle road user charge was axed. These measures will be in place for three months.

“We are working to bring the price of fuel down, to make more fuel here and to keep it on shore and get more fuel here, using our strong trading relationships with our region to bring more petrol, diesel and fertiliser to Australia.”

Anthony Albanese’s nationwide address has struck a grim tone as the PM forecasts economic turmoil for months to come.

Mr Albanese has echoed the concern of everyday Aussies who are facing not only pain at the pump, but also at the supermarket.

“The reality is, the economic shocks caused by this war will be with us for months.”