00:01My fellow Australians, by nature we're an optimistic country, but I understand that right now it's hard to be positive.
00:10The war in the Middle East has caused the biggest spike in petrol and diesel prices in history.
00:17Australia is not an active participant in this war, but all Australians are paying higher prices because of it.
00:24I know that you're seeing this at the servo and at the supermarket, and I understand farmers and truckies, small
00:31businesses and families are doing it tough.
00:34And the reality is, the economic shocks caused by this war will be with us for months.
00:41Tonight I want to speak directly with you about what the Government is doing to shield Australia in these uncertain
00:48times.
00:49And also, what all of us can do to help our country and help each other in the period ahead.
00:56On Monday, National Cabinet adopted the National Fuel Security Plan.
01:01Leaders from both sides of politics, from right around the country, working together to keep Australia moving.
01:07Making sure that we are prepared, so that if the global situation gets worse, and our fuel supplies are seriously
01:15disrupted over the long term, we can coordinate the next steps together.
01:21Today we cut the fuel excise in half, cutting the tax on every litre of petrol by 26 cents.
01:29Those savings have started showing up at your petrol station.
01:32For our truckies, we have cut the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero.
01:38Both these measures will be in place for the next three months.
01:42We are working to bring the price of fuel down, to make more fuel here, and to keep it on
01:48shore.
01:49And get more fuel here, using our strong trading relationships with our region to bring more petrol, diesel and fertiliser
01:57to Australia.
01:59Now, it's the Australian way that people want to do their bit.
02:03And there are simple ways that you can.
02:06You should go about your business and your life as normal.
02:10Enjoy your Easter.
02:11And if you're hitting the road, don't take more fuel than you need.
02:15Just fill up like you normally would.
02:17Think of others in your community, in the bush and in critical industries.
02:22And over coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so.
02:28That builds our reserves and it saves fuel for people who have no choice but to drive.
02:35Farmers and miners and tradies who need diesel every single day.
02:39And all those shift workers and nurses who do so much for our country.
02:44The months ahead may not be easy.
02:47I want to be upfront about that.
02:49No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing.
02:55I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it.
03:01These are uncertain times, but I'm absolutely certain of this.
03:06We will deal with these global challenges the Australian way.
03:11Working together and looking after each other, as we always have.
03:16Thank you and good evening.
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