Anthony Albanese has hit back after a public attack on Australia from President Donald Trump.
The US president criticised allied countries for not providing assistance in the conflict, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to put pressure on global oil prices.
‘(UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer) didn’t want to help us. Australia, too. Australia was not great. I was a little surprised by Australia,’ Trump said.
Albanese said Australia has agreed to every US request so far, including sending an E-7 Wedgetail to support Gulf states targeted by Iran.
‘President Trump is someone who I’ve enjoyed a very constructive relationship with,’ he said.
‘I said very early on that I wasn’t going to comment on all of his commentary on a day-to-day basis.
‘It’s up to him to explain his comments.
‘But of course, I make the point as well that Australia wasn’t consulted before this action was undertaken, and I respect that. That’s a matter for the United States.’
Anthony Albanese has hit back after a public attack on Australia from President Donald Trump
Albanese provides update on fuel crisis
Albanese said that the nation’s fuel supply is secure and that petrol continues to flow to the regions.
‘While Australia’s fuel supply outlook remains secure over the near term, due to the actions that the government has taken to date, the government has been clear that the longer this war goes on, the greater the impact will be,’ he said.
‘I can assure Australians we’re working around the clock, and I want us to have the strongest possible plan, so we’re ready as well, overprepared for what may come.’
He left open the option of slashing fuel excise in half, with the current 53-cent tax on every litre of petrol and diesel translating to a 26-cent saving if fully passed through.
‘My government has always been strong on cost-of-living measures; we’ll continue to do so, we do so in a responsible way in the context of our budget considerations,’ Albanese said.
Fuel taxes have been cut in half before during major disruptions, including for six months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a global energy crisis.
Energy minister Chris Bowen said six cancelled shipments of fuel to Australia had been replaced through ‘alternative sources’, alongside at least three extra cargoes ordered by refiners and importers.
‘So that for the next few weeks, Australia’s supply of petrol and diesel and oil will be the same, if not higher than it normally would be,’ he said.
‘As the prime minister indicated with those Australians thinking about potential flights over Easter, we can confirm there are currently, as we speak, six cargo loads of jet fuel are on their way to Australia, which is the normal level to be expected at this time. None of them have been cancelled.’
With only two refineries still operating, Australia imports about 90 per cent of its fuel, mostly from key trading partners Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.
Bowen said he was confident Malaysia will continue to supply Australia.
‘The Malaysian government has indicated to me they regard their role as a reliable supplier of liquid fuel to Australia as extremely important,’ Bowen said.
‘They see Australia as a key ally and friend, and that they will continue to work with us.
‘So I have nothing but the most positive comments about my discussions with the Malaysian government.’
