Although he cautioned that such a move would be very expensive, Anthony Albanese said his administration is carefully “considering” whether to prolong the gasoline tax relief that is preventing drivers from paying even higher costs at the pump.
In March, the government of Scott Morrison reduced gasoline prices by 22 cents per litre as the price of a gallon reached $2.20.
However, the programme, which cost $3 billion in tax money, expires on September 28 and the administration has consistently said that it would not be extended over the six-month mark.
On Radio 2GB on Wednesday, when asked whether he would “extend the savings” for drivers, Mr. Albanese said that his administration was looking into the possibility.
How much extra would filling a tank cost you?
$8.84 for a small hatchback
Large SUV: $13.26
$4WD: Large: $17.68
Budget for 2022–2023
We are looking into it, but we are limited in what we can do, Mr. Albanese added.
‘You are inspecting it, did you say?’ the host pushed.
“No, no, we’re taking a look at the conditions that are there,” the prime minister said.
“We have made it quite plain that the cost of gasoline to the budget is so great that I can’t see a path through on that subject,” he said.
“We have been upfront and honest about it.” There has been no change in our viewpoint from either side of the political spectrum since the election.
Any extension, according to Mr. Albanese, would be very costly and he pointed out that Australia already owes $1 trillion.
The PM also said that in recent months, gas costs had decreased to $1.50.
He promised more cost-of-living assistance in his October budget, including as a drop in the maximum price of prescription medications from $42.50 to $30 per script.
Three months after taking office, Mr. Albanese’s popularity is on the rise.
According to a Resolve Strategic survey that was released in Nine newspapers on Tuesday, Labor’s primary vote increased from roughly 33% to 42% before the May 21 election.
The primary vote for the Coalition has decreased from 36% to 28%.
By a margin of 55% to 17%, Mr. Albanese is ahead of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in the poll for preferred prime minister.
Resolve director Jim Reed told Nine media, “It’s not unusual for a new administration to have a honeymoon phase when people are hoping for change under the new management.”
But Labor’s vote increase was more than that. This electorate is expressing relief that they all made the proper decision.
When news broke that former prime minister Scott Morrison had secretly been inducted into five cabinet positions, the poll of 2011 voters was being held from Wednesday to Sunday.
The survey, according to Labor Minister Bill Shorten, demonstrated that the party’s support was still strong after the election.