Australia politics live: Hastie accuses Hanson of avoiding media; Anthony Albanese and King Charles speak
Australian government minister Chris Bowen stated that fuel excise relief will not be reintroduced despite rising oil prices caused by Middle East tensions. The government also defended the appointment of former opposition leader Sussan Ley to the Snowy Hydro board, citing her professional qualifications.
Why it matters
The report highlights the government's struggle to balance cost-of-living pressures with fiscal discipline and political appointments.
Chris Bowen has watered down any expectations that a renewed rise in oil prices will lead to the reintroduction of the federal government’s fuel excise relief.
He said Labor was continuing to look “very closely” at the spike, which was prompted after a series of drone attacks forced Saudi Arabia to close its east-west crude pipeline. But he said the federal government had been “very clear” that cutting the fuel excise was a temporary measure.
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