ANDREW GREENE: Albanese Government’s rapidly changing messages on fuel crisis, Middle East

Earlier this week the Prime Minister was strongly encouraging Australians to proceed with their long weekend holiday plans, insisting “people should enjoy their Easter”.

“It’s important as well that we keep the economy going. 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,” he said on Monday.

On Wednesday night Anthony Albanese has again addressed the nation in a prime-time TV address, but with a markedly different tone, and a grim sign that the worst is yet to come in the global oil crisis.

“The months ahead may not be easy. I want to be up front about that 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”.

“Enjoy your Easter and 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,” the Prime Minister urged Australians.

“Over coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work do so that builds our reserves, and it saves fuel for people who have no choice but to drive,” he said in his pre-recorded comments broadcast across all TV networks.

Prime ministers have in the past notably also delivered national TV addresses during monumentally disruptive events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Global Financial Crisis.

During the past two weeks of Parliament, the Prime Minister and Energy Minister Chris Bowen have delivered regular words of assurance for Australians that fuel supplies were continuing to flow into the country, even above the levels expected before the crisis.

Now, the Government’s messaging has clearly shifted and for many in the population it will cause confusion if not panic.

“These are uncertain times, but I’m absolutely certain of this, we will deal with these global challenges, the Australian way, working together and looking after each other as we always have,” Mr Albanese said, as the government tries to convey both a sense of urgency but also reassurance that the response is being managed properly.

Asked by Opposition Leader Angus Taylor during Question Time on Wednesday what had prompted him to deliver a national address, Mr Albanese insisted nothing had changed since a day earlier.

There will now be renewed scrutiny of this week’s decision to cave into pressure by slashing the fuel excise by 26.3 cents per litre, a move which essentially encouraged motorists to keep driving at their usual rate.

While unveiling the $2.55 billion halving of the fuel excise, the Treasurer told motorists the move would deliver a whooping $19 discount when filling up a 65-litre vehicle.

Recent analysis from JP Morgan has warned that if Iran continues to strangle the Strait of Hormuz deliveries of oil to Australia could dramatically slow from late April.

Tomorrow, it will be President Donald Trump’s turn to speak to Americans, as the US President also delivers an address from the White House on the war in the Middle East.