00:00My fellow Australians, by nature we're an optimistic country, but I understand that
00:07right now it's hard to be positive. The war in the Middle East has caused the biggest
00:12spike in petrol and diesel prices in history. Australia is not an active participant in
00:18this war, but all Australians are paying higher prices because of it. I know that you're
00:24seeing this at the servo and at the supermarket, and I understand farmers and truckies, small
00:30businesses and families are doing it tough. And the reality is, the economic shocks caused
00:37by this war will be with us for months. Tonight I want to speak directly with you about what
00:43the Government is doing to shield Australia in these uncertain times, and also what all
00:50of us can do to help our country and help each other in the period ahead. On Monday, National
00:57Cabinet adopted the National Fuel Security Plan. Leaders from both sides of politics, from right
01:03around the country, working together to keep Australia moving, making sure that we are prepared
01:09so that if the global situation gets worse, and our fuel supplies are seriously disrupted
01:15over the long term, we can coordinate the next steps together. Today we cut the fuel excise
01:22in half, cutting the tax on every litre of petrol by 26 cents. Those savings have started showing
01:30up at your petrol station. For our truckies, we have cut the heavy vehicle road user charge
01:36to zero. Both these measures will be in place for the next three months. We are working to bring
01:43the price of fuel down, to make more fuel here, and to keep it on shore. And get more fuel
01:49here,
01:50using our strong trading relationships with our region to bring more petrol, diesel and fertiliser
01:56to Australia. Now it's the Australian way that people want to do their bit. And there are simple
02:04ways that you can. You should go about your business and your life as normal. Enjoy your Easter. And if
02:11you're
02:11hitting the road, don't take more fuel than you need, just fill up like you normally would. Think of others
02:17in your community, in the bush and in critical industries. And over coming weeks, if you can switch
02:24to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so. That builds our reserves and it saves fuel
02:30for people
02:31who have no choice but to drive. Farmers and miners and tradies who need diesel every single day. And all
02:39those shift workers and nurses who do so much for our country. The months ahead may not be easy. I
02:46want
02:47to be upfront about that. No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing.
02:54I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it. These are uncertain
03:02times, but I'm absolutely certain of this. We will deal with these global challenges the Australian way,
03:10working together and looking after each other, as we always have. Thank you and good evening.
03:31You
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