The Morning Edition Albanese has a petrol plan. Will it help, or boost inflation?
Mar 30, 2026
Natassia Chrysanthos, federal political correspondent who explains government policy, breaks down the National Fuel Security Plan. She discusses petrol prices versus supply, the 26c excise cut and heavy vehicle relief, the government's plan to work with industry to secure supply, and the tradeoff between relief measures and inflation pressures.
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Immediate Fuel Excise Cut To Ease Costs
- The government cut the fuel excise by half to deliver immediate cost-of-living relief.
- Halving the 52¢ excise reduces prices by ~26¢/L and removes the heavy vehicle road user charge until end of June, costing about $2.55bn.
Government Confident About Fuel Supply
- The government says supply remains secure and is working with industry to maintain imports.
- Officials expect full effects of the Middle East war on supply to appear in weeks, but so far no cliff-drop has occurred and ministers sound confident.
Four Stage Plan Escalates From Advice To Mandates
- The plan is four stages from 'Plan and Prepare' to mandatory cuts if supply fails.
- Australia is currently at Stage Two (Keeping Australia Moving); Stage Three may ask for voluntary demand reduction and Stage Four could impose mandatory measures.