‘No shock announcements’: Albanese to deliver first PM address to the nation in six years

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver a rare address to the nation to reassure anxious Australians about fuel supply over the Easter break, as the government emphasises that COVID-style emergency measures are not being considered.

Albanese will deliver a short, nationally televised address on Wednesday at 7pm, hours before US President Donald Trump gives his own address to Americans on Thursday morning, Australian time.

As the Trump administration suggests the war in Iran may be coming to an end, Albanese will use his pre-recorded speech to ask Australians to play their part in conserving petrol by not using more than needed, so as not to deprive key industries of fuel.

The announcement on Wednesday morning that Albanese would address the nation sparked rumours that it would include a major decision, perhaps on fuel rationing, but several sources in the government said the prime minister was not moving in that direction.

“The address is about setting the tone and calming people down ahead of Easter,” said one cabinet minister, who sought anonymity to discuss details.

“He [Albanese] isn’t going to make any shock announcements.”

A senior source in the car industry, who also asked not to be named, speculated that the government appeared to be softening up the public for tougher measures in the weeks and months ahead.

“There’s no way they announce the night before Easter restrictions on fuel supplies,” they said. “But we may be being softened up for bad news after Easter.”

Prime ministers Kevin Rudd gave an address to the nation in 2008 about the global financial crisis and Scott Morrison used his address on March 12, 2020 to say the nation was “well-prepared and well-equipped” to handle the coronavirus threat, 10 days before the first national lockdowns began.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave a televised address a fortnight ago, addressing the conflict in Iran.

The Commonwealth and state premiers agreed on Monday to a national fuel security plan that may include rationing if tankers stopped arriving, but such measures are not yet in play because supply remains steady. There is a greater chance of shortages from May. Currently, fuel outages are exacerbated by excess demand and panic buying, while big firms such as miners have also increased bulk orders.

If Australia were to move to the next stage of the phased plan, level three, that could include restrictions on how much fuel people can purchase to ensure vital industries keep running. Working from home would be more strongly encouraged for people who are able to do so, too.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Wednesday: “This is a significant economic shock, a bit like the others, including COVID-19, but it’s not the same, and we go to great lengths to make sure that people understand that we are doing our best to avoid COVID-style interventions.”

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US could see “the finish line” in the conflict in Iran.

“It’s not today, it’s not tomorrow, but it is coming,” Rubio said on Fox News.

The United Arab Emirates is willing to use force to help the United States open the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

According to the report, which cites Arab officials, the UAE is lobbying the United Nations Security Council to authorise the action. A UAE official told the Journal the country was reviewing how it could play a military role in securing the crucial oil choke point, including helping clear it of mines.

The UAE has been subjected to drone strikes from Iran. Australian troops are stationed at a military base in the country, and the Australian government has deployed troops and weapons to the Gulf state to provide protection.

More to come.

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