Chris Bowen downplays reintroduction of fuel excise relief amid renewed surge in oil prices
Chris Bowen also 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.
Bowen said:
It’s not the only cost of living measure that we put in place … At the same time, I’m very much focused on ensuring our ongoing fuel supply in this very difficult international circumstance … We’re not going to respond to every daily movement on the world oil price.
Bowen said the situation in the Middle East was “deeply concerning” and confirmed he would be travelling to Saudi Arabia next week to meet with his counterpart, Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.
He was also asked about the appointment of the former opposition leader, Sussan Ley, to the board of Snowy Hydro, given the Coalition abandoned its commitment to net zero under her leadership and she had blamed Labor’s renewable energy rollout on high energy prices.
Bowen said when he saw an Australian who was “well credentialed, I don’t care how they vote”, and described her as a person of “talent and ability”.
Anthony Albanese spoke to King Charles last night, the prime minister revealed.
Albanese last saw the monarch during a visit to Britain in September last year.
“A privilege to speak with His Majesty King Charles III this evening,” Albanese wrote on social media.
“His affection for the Australian people remains strong. I extended Australia’s best wishes to His Majesty and the Royal Family.”
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