Anthony Albanese delivered a rare address to the nation at 7pm.

The Prime Minister outlined the federal government’s response to the Middle East conflict and encouraged Australians to all play their part by saving fuel for the areas and industries that need it.

It was a Prime Minister’s first address to the nation during a time of crisis since Covid.

It comes after the federal government on Wednesday announced temporary relief measures including the fuel excise halved in a bid to stave off the worst economic effects.

But many motorists won’t see the savings at the bowser immediately, as service stations need to sell their older, higher-taxed stock.

Follow Daily Mail’s live updates on Australia’s fuel crisis.

08:08

Rallying cry for what everyday Aussies can do, including over Easter

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Aussies to live life normally amid the fuel crisis – to a degree.

In an address to the nation at 7pm AEDT, Albanese said the Australian people should keep others in mind, particularly essential workers and those employed in critical industries, and conserve fuel for where it is needed the most.

‘It’s the Australian way that people want to do their bit and there’s simple ways that you can,’ he said.

‘You should go about your business and your life as normal. Enjoy your Easter.

‘If you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need, just fill up like you normally would.’

In a stark turnaround from weeks of his government saying there was no fuel crisis in Australia, he urged foregoing fuel for critical areas and wide use of public transport.

The Prime Minister said it was important to ‘think of others in your community, in the bush and in critical industries’.

‘Over coming weeks, if you can switch to catching the train or bus or tram to work, do so,’ he said.

‘That builds our reserves and it saves fuel for people who have no choice but to drive.

‘Farmers and miners and tradies who need diesel every single day, and all those shift workers and nurses who do so much for our country.’

In his speech, Albanese stopped short or announcing any restrictions or mandates but said it would be a ‘touch few months’ for the country as the war in the Middle East reverberates through oil markets and the wider global economy.

07:51

Watch the Prime Minister’s address live

Anthony Albanese’s speech will play here when he addresses the nation at 7pm.

08:27

Aussies underwhelmed with Albanese’s address

Frustrated Aussies have lashed out at Albanese for his ‘insincere’ pre-recorded address.

After waiting all day for the rare address to the nation, viewers were left disappointed to see Albanese’s message was pre-recorded.

‘Was anyone else expecting it to be a LIVE address to the nation? No sincerity could be felt with a recorded message that probably took multiple takes,’ one wrote online.

‘Hype us up all day, get us all to watch… that? A recorded message?!’ another said.

‘At least i got permission to enjoy my Easter. Thank Albo,’ another wrote.

‘That was the most underwhelming national address I’ve ever witnessed. Surely we deserved better Albo,’ another said.

08:08

Ominous warning the next few months will be tough

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned the coming months will remain difficult.

‘The months ahead may not be easy. I want to be upfront about that,’ he said in his live address.

‘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.

‘These are uncertain times but I am 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.’

Albanese also revealed the steps his government is taking to mitigate the ongoing effects of the war.

‘On Monday, National Cabinet adopted the National Fuel Security Plan,’ he said.

‘Leaders from both sides of politics, from right around the country, working together to keep Australia moving. Making sure that we are prepared.

‘So that if the global situation gets worse and our fuel supplies are seriously disrupted over the long term, we can co-ordinate the next steps together.

‘Today, we cut the fuel excise in half. Cutting the tax on every litre of petrol, by 26 cents. Those savings have started showing up at your petrol station.

‘For our truckies, we have cut the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to zero. Both these measures will be in place for the next three months.’

Albanese said the government is still actively working to resolve ongoing fuel issues.

‘We are working to bring the price of fuel down,’ he said.

‘To make more fuel here and to keep it onshore.

‘And get more fuel here – using our strong trading relationships with our region to bring more petrol, diesel and fertiliser to Australia.’

07:36

WATCH: Why the tax cut won’t save you in a fuel crisis

07:07

Western Australia to declare a state of emergency

Western Australia will declare a state of emergency due to ongoing fuel supply issues.

Premier Roger Cook and Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson made the decision after fuel companies refused to share vital information.

Emergency powers are outlined under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972 and will come into effect on Thursday.

‘Full transparency is crucial for staying ahead of the situation and keeping WA’s economy running and protecting our way of life,’ Ms Sanderson said.

‘We are using this act to comply with Level Two of the national plan, which is to compel information out of those companies.

‘It is activating a state of emergency.’

Six fuel companies had been asked to volunteer information including volumes, scheduled shipments and delivery timetables by 5pm Tuesday.

Only three companies replied.

‘Unfortunately, our efforts are being handled by not having the full visibility of the fuel supply chain,’ Cook said.

‘In some cases, we don’t know where the fuel is.’

06:53

Fuel restrictions tipped for after Easter break

Top Australian energy analysts expect the government will announce fuel restrictions following the Easter holidays.

While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to keep a calm front while asking Aussies to save fuel where possible during his address at 7pm, experts believe a more worrying announcement will come next week.

Rystad Energy head of Australia, Gero Farruggio, told the Australian Financial Review that Easter was likely the calm before the storm.

‘We are facing a Covid-like situation where we’ll have to be working from home like some other countries who already are and restrictions for non-essential diesel users,’ he said.

‘The challenge is not at what price we can get these [oil] ships, it’s whether we can get them at all.

‘I think you will see a narrative change soon after Easter and I fear measures will come in to get on top of the situation and plan for the long haul.’

05:02

The PM will not travel to Türkiye for Anzac Day

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was due to make his first Anzac Day visit to Gallipoli, in Türkiye, this month.

No plans had been officially confirmed for the trip.

During Question Time on Tuesday, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie asked if ministers were pausing events throughout April.

‘If he is referring to what was a proposed trip by myself for Anzac Day in Gallipoli, yes, given the current circumstances surrounding travel toTürkiye, I have cancelled it,’ Albanese responded.

‘I have prioritised dealing with the issues before us and engaging with our regional partners.

‘That is the responsible and right thing to do.’

04:33

Aussie travellers hit by crushing $800 fuel surcharge

Australians planning a holiday are facing a brutal blow with airfares set to surge and flights slashed as jet fuel supplies tighten and China curbs exports.

From tomorrow, a return flight from Sydney to London with Cathay Pacific will be hit by an eye-watering $800 fuel surcharge on top of the usual ticket price.

Qantas has already imposed a 5 per cent increase on international fares, while Virgin Australia has also begun raising its prices.

Jetstar is quietly cancelling one in ten of its May flights in New Zealand, and Air New Zealand has already axed around 1,100 services.

Experts warn prices are only going to get worse, with global jet fuel costs surging 11.2 per cent in a week to $175 a barrel – after jumping more than 80 per cent since late February, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Aussie travellers hit by crushing new $800 fuel surcharge on airfares
Australians planning a holiday are facing a brutal hit to their hip pocket, with airfares set to surge even further and flights slashed as jet fuel supplies tighten and China curbs exports.

04:12

Why won’t Albo just tell us now?

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has clashed with the Coalition after refusing to explain why Albanese is waiting until 7pm to address Australians about the fuel crisis.

‘Parliament is sitting right now,’ Opposition Senator Michaelia Cash said in the Senate.

‘The Prime Minister has the floor of the House available to him at this very moment.

‘Why is he waiting until Parliament rises before speaking to the nation?’

But Wong said the opposition was playing a political game and defended the Prime Minister’s leadership.

‘This is the largest shock to global energy markets since the 1970s,’ she said.

‘If you think we’re worried about coming to Parliament to answer your questions, you’ve got tickets on yourself.’

She said the government had been transparent, listing actions taken to secure fuel supply, including releasing stockpiles, changing fuel standards and passing emergency legislation.

Cash claimed the government has been inconsistent in its messaging.

‘The Prime Minister says drive. The Treasurer says work from home. The Energy Minister says supply is fine,’ the senator said.

‘So which message should Australians listen to?’

She added that there were almost 900 service stations reportedly dry across the country.

Wong reiterated that the Government’s ‘single message’ was its commitment to shield Australians from the impacts of the crisis.

She did not explain why the Prime Minister chose not to deliver his message to Parliament.

03:44

Albo: ‘Nothing has changed’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists that ‘nothing has changed’, ahead of tonight’s address of the nation about the ongoing Middle East conflict and fuel crisis.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor posed the question during Question Time in parliament on Wednesday.

‘Yesterday the Prime Minister told ABC Melbourne that fuel supplies have not been disrupted,’ Taylor began.

‘Tonight, the Prime Minister will deliver an emergency address to the nation. Prime Minister, what has changed since yesterday?’

In his reply, Albanese accused the Opposition Leader of talking up issues facing Aussies.

‘Nothing has changed since yesterday, neither this government’s resolve to deal with issues of supply and cost of living, or the Opposition’s approach to these issues which are outlined in their talking points that are out there for all to see,’ he began.

‘They’re talking points that suggested, rather than act responsibly, what they would do was talk up issues that are facing Australians.

‘The issues are real, the war in the Middle East is absolutely real.’

Albanese then referenced Coalition MP Andrew Hastie’s recent plea for Aussies to ‘keep calm and carry on’.

‘This will be consistent with what I will say tonight,’ Albanese continued.

‘This is where every Australian has to just keep calm and carry on. Do what they can to look after themselves and their neighbours.

‘We’ve got a lot of oil and gas and other precious commodities trapped in the Persian Gulf behind the strait of Hormuz.

‘So until the war is resolved, we’re going to feel supply pressures.

‘It was real when the member for Canning said it. It’s real when every member of the government understands it, but it is also real to say that every single ship load of fuel that was due to come here in March arrived on schedule.’

‘What is required at times like this is to be considered, be orderly, work through issues, not to pretend there aren’t challenges and the government doesn’t pretend that.’

02:43

Opposition Leader’s car stolen hours before calls for fuel excise cuts

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor was left scrambling after his car was allegedly stolen from his home just hours before he was due to hold a press conference.

The car was taken from Taylor’s home in Canberra’s inner-south shortly before he was scheduled to appear at a 7‑Eleven service station in Casey last Friday.

The press conference marked the Coalition’s push for the government to halve the fuel excise, a policy the Albanese government announced on Monday.

Taylor arrived at the 8am presser without a jacket, despite temperatures hovering around just 10C that morning.

Sources told the Daily Mail the Opposition Leader was in a rush that morning, which may explain why the jacket was left behind, or in the stolen car.

No car, no worries: Angus Taylor’s wheels stolen hours before presser
The Opposition Leader has been revealed as the victim of a car theft just hours before a high‑stakes media conference.