Welcome to our live coverage of Australia’s fuel crisis.
Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres has repeatedly clashed with host Laura Jayes over the Albanese government’s fuel excise cut announcement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a four-phase plan on Monday to tackle the crisis, including halving the fuel excise – which will reduce the cost by 26.3 cents per litre, meaning a $16 reduction when filling up a 60-litre tank.
During an appearance on Sky News this morning, Mr Ayres was grilled by Jayes, who put to him that halving the excise was “a good political decision, (but) I can’t find an economist that thinks it’s a good idea”.
“Well, look, it’s the right thing for families, Laura,” he responded, before a heated back-end-forth ensued.
The clash came after Energy Minister Chris Bowen called for patience in the coming days, as service stations need to sell off their more expensive fuel before excise cuts will be reflected by petrol prices.
“It is really important we do not yell at the poor person behind the counter and say they have not passed on the petrol tax cut yet, because it will take a little while … Days in city areas, it can be a bit longer in regional areas because they have already paid the tax on the petrol in the tank,” Mr Bowen said.
Read on for more updates