Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has encouraged Australians not to cancel their Easter getaways despite mounting fuel pressures, as he confirmed a temporary 50 per cent cut to the fuel excise. The reduction will lower petrol and diesel prices by 26.3 cents per litre, saving motorists around $16 when filling a standard 60‑litre tank.
“We are making fuel cheaper today because we understand that Australians are under serious pressure,” Mr Albanese said on Monday.
The Prime Minister also urged those who can to use public transport to help conserve fuel supplies for regions and industries most affected by the ongoing crisis. “The less fuel we use in the cities, obviously the more we can direct to regional areas that are under pressure,” he said. He noted that Victoria and Tasmania have already moved to reduce public transport fares.
As part of the relief package, the government will temporarily scrap the heavy vehicle road user charge, currently set at 32.4 cents per litre, to support truck drivers. A planned six per cent increase to the charge has also been delayed by six months.
Asked whether Australians should reconsider Easter road trips amid uncertainty, Mr Albanese dismissed the idea. “People should enjoy their Easter, and it’s important as well that we keep the economy going,” he said. “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. It’s an important time.”
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