Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures as well as a national plan guided by four stages as the fuel crisis continues.
FUEL MEASURES INTRODUCED AFTER NATIONAL CABINET MEETING:
WHAT’S NEW?
* Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will halve fuel excise for the next three months, lowering the levy on petrol by 26.3c a litre
* A reduction in government taxes on petrol are designed to take “some of the sting” out of fuel prices, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says
* This measure will cost the budget $2.55 billion and result in a $19 reduction in the cost of filling a 65-litre petrol tank
* The heavy vehicle road user charge will also be axed for six months to help truck drivers
* Any change to the heavy vehicle charge, which is 32.4 centres per litre on diesel, will be deferred for six months
* All of the changes will come into effect on Wednesday
* In Monday’s national cabinet meeting, the Commonwealth, states, and territories also agreed to a National Fuel Security Plan, which Mr Albanese says is guided by four levels
WHAT ARE THE FOUR LEVELS?
* The levels have been outlined as “plan and prepare”, “keep Australia moving”, “take targeted action”, and “protect critical services for all Australians”
* The first level refers to fuel supply operating as normal, with governments monitoring the impacts of global factors
* Mr Albanese says Australia is at the second stage, which involves supply continuing to operate effectively, but localised supply disruptions are occurring
* In this stage, the government is taking precautionary actions to shore up supply and urges drivers to make “voluntary choices” to use less fuel and avoid the impact of higher prices
* The third stage will involve focusing on getting fuel to where it’s needed most and the government taking “practical measures” to help reduce consumers’ fuel use
* Those measures are not detailed in the plan, but “longer hours for trucking” to improve efficiency in fuel use is listed as a possible example
* The fourth level will involve ensuring critical road users are protected and the economy remains open and operating if supply disruptions continue
