Anthony Albanese has drawn a clear line in the sand as Australia braces for a deepening fuel crisis, vowing the country will not return to ‘Covid‑style’ government mandates.
With demand surging and states warning that supplies are under strain, the Prime Minister moved to steady public nerves ahead of a crucial national cabinet meeting on Monday.
He has ruled out enforced restrictions on Australians’ movements or limits on fuel use, despite growing political pressure for decisive federal intervention.
Instead, the government is more focused on supply measures to ‘keep Australians moving’.
‘We will get through this. We are not going down the path of Covid‑style mandated demand management measures,’ Albanese told the Sunday Telegraph.
‘We want to keep our nation moving and Australians moving. I am looking forward to a productive discussion with state and territory leaders on Monday.’
The high‑stakes talks will centre on a suite of emergency options now under active consideration, including tougher transparency at the bowser, potential changes to work‑from‑home arrangements and renewed calls for relief at the pump.
A temporary cut to the fuel excise and the introduction of a national petrol price tracker are also expected to dominate discussions.
Anthony Albanese (pictured) will meet with state and territory leaders on Monday
The PM vowed that Australia will not return to ‘Covid‑style’ government mandates as the fuel crisis worsens
The Opposition has already staked its position, calling on Friday for the excise to be halved for three months, a move it says would slash prices by around 26 cents a litre.
But Albanese cautioned against rushed decisions.
‘Any measures we agree to take will be nationally considered and very carefully thought through,’ he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns will hold crisis talks regarding the fuel emergency with his state and territory counterparts on Sunday, ahead of the national cabinet meeting.
The Prime Minister’s intervention comes as premiers ramp up pressure on Canberra to seize control of a coordinated national response, privately warning that a fragmented, state‑by‑state approach, similar to the pandemic, risks fuelling public anxiety, panic buying and worsening shortages.
On Saturday, Albanese announced the first in what is expected to be a series of measures aimed at stabilising supply chains and reassuring motorists there is no need to panic.
The new laws will allow the Commonwealth to underwrite private fuel shipments and lock in deliveries as the war in Iran constricts global supply.
‘We are working around the clock to deal with the fuel supply issues,’ Albanese said.
A temporary reduction of the fuel excise will be discussed among other measures on Monday
There are growing calls for the government’s fuel excise to be slashed
‘This support from the government will not be business as usual. It has to be additional supplies that are available on the international market, and they will literally underwrite the purchase,’ Albanese said.
‘Importantly, it will also allow for the purchase of fertiliser and other essentials.
‘I want us to have the strongest possible plans so that we’re ready for what may come.’
On Sunday, the Victorian government announced it will temporarily make public transport free as it moves to ease fuel demand and relieve pressure on motorists.
The decision comes as hundreds of fuel stations across the country remain dry, with Australia estimated to have just 38 days of fuel left in reserve.
