Prime Minister’s Address to the Nation: Anthony Albanese calls on Aussies to reserve fuel, catch public transport amid war

Anthony Albanese has called on Australians to “think of others” and stop panic buying petrol as the federal government stares down months of uncertainty due to the Middle East war.

In his landmark Address to the Nation on Wednesday night, broadcasted simultaneously across all networks in a format previously reserved for major crises including the COVID pandemic and the global financial crisis, Albanese called for calm.

Albanese spoke directly to Australians about what the federal government was doing to shield the country in “uncertain times” and what can be done to “help our country and help each other in the period ahead”.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow

“By nature, we’re an optimistic country. But I understand that right now it’s hard to be positive,” he 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.”

He detailed the federal government’s actions including the fuel excise being cut in half from this week and scrapping the Heavy Vehicle Road User charge for truckies for three months.

Albanese also said the government was working to make more fuel in Australia, keep it onshore as well as import more supplies of petrol, diesel and fertiliser.

Simple actions to help fuel reserves

Albanese used the address to outline the “simple” actions that everyday Aussies can take to reduce the pressure on fuel supplies.

“You should go about your business and your life, as normal. Enjoy your Easter,” he said ahead of the long weekend on Friday.

“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 also urged Australians to switch to catching public transport like the train, bus or tram to work, if possible, in the coming weeks.

Albanese said these simple moves will help build fuel reserves and save supplies for people who have no choice but to drive as well as farmers, miners and tradies who require diesel for their jobs.

“If you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so,” he said.

“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.”

Grim warning about future of Middle East conflict

But the Prime Minister ended the address with a grim warning of the trials in the months ahead caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

“The months ahead may not be easy. I want to be upfront about that,” he said.

“No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing. I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it.”

“These are uncertain times. But I am absolutely certain of this: we will deal with these global challenges, the Australian way.”

Albanese said Australia would weather the storm by working together and looking after each other “as we always have”.

The Prime Minister’s address comes as US President Donald Trump is also scheduled to address the American population on Thursday.

Fuel excise begins

Albanese’s address comes after the fuel excise kicked in on Wednesday, but warnings were issued that drivers will need to wait longer for cheaper fuel as the tax cut might take weeks to start flowing through the bowser.

The move slashed petrol and diesel costs by 26.3 cents a litre, equating to $10.50 on a small, 40-litre tank or $21 for Australia’s best-selling new vehicle — the Ford Ranger — which has an 80L tank.

Some petrol stations quickly passed on the reprieve on Wednesday, with one store in Canberra seeing a 30-cent pre-dawn price drop.

“It’s been pretty expensive recently so really good to see the drop,” one motorist said.

“I haven’t been filling up. We’ve been running on empty,” another said.

However, the government said this won’t be the case across the nation and urged motorists to be patient as the excise comes into effect.

“The fuel in the tanks right now has been purchased at the higher rate, and so people should expect it would take somewhere between maybe one and two weeks for the full benefit of the excise to flow through,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers told reporters on Tuesday.

“I want to manage expectations on that front, because people shouldn’t rock up at five past midnight tonight and expect to see the full benefit passed on.”

The $2.5 billion excise cut was designed to give motorist relief and avoid panic buying by bringing down prices. But for some, it had the opposite effect with drivers bringing out jerry cans.

NSW leads the states with the greatest number of service stations without diesel (247) and 61 without stock.

In Victoria that number drops to 82 stations without diesel, and 40 with no stock.

Queensland follows with 77 servos without diesel, and 39 with no unleaded stock.

-With AAP