Australian authorities have introduced measures to ease rising fuel costs, including a temporary cut to fuel taxes and free public transport in some states, as global energy prices climb בעקבות the conflict in the Middle East. The federal government announced it would halve the country’s fuel excise for three months, while two states have moved to make public transport free in an effort to reduce pressure on motorists. Fuel excise cut to ease costsPrime Minister Anthony Albanese said the fuel excise would be reduced by 26.3 cents per litre for petrol and diesel. The measure is expected to save drivers between A$10 and A$20 per tank, though it will cost the government around A$2.55bn. The tax cut comes as fuel prices have risen sharply since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, which has disrupted global oil supply routes. Australia has seen petrol prices climb from around A$2.09 per litre to about A$2.38 in recent weeks, according to industry data. Free public transport in two statesIn addition to federal measures, some state governments have introduced their own initiatives. In Victoria, Premier Jacinta Allan announced that trains, trams and buses would be free throughout April. She said the move was intended to reduce demand for fuel and provide immediate relief to households. Tasmania has taken similar steps, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming that buses, ferries and coaches will be free until the end of June. School transport services that normally require payment will also be included, saving regular users about A$20 per week. Other states hold backNot all regions have adopted the same approach. New South Wales has decided against introducing free public transport, with Transport Minister John Graham saying the state needed to conserve resources for longer-term support. Other states have instead focused on targeted measures. South Australia is expanding travel concessions for older residents, while Queensland pointed to previously introduced low-cost fares. Western Australia also said it had already reduced transport costs in earlier policies. Global pressures driving price risesThe increase in fuel prices has been linked to disruption in global energy markets following the conflict in the Middle East. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil shipments, has limited the movement of cargo and driven up international oil prices. Around 20% of the world’s oil and gas typically passes through the waterway, making it a critical point for global supply. The Australian government has said there is no shortage of fuel domestically, but higher global prices are feeding through to consumers. Wider international responseAustralia is not alone in introducing measures to manage rising energy costs. Several countries have taken steps to reduce fuel use or support households and businesses. In Egypt, authorities have ordered earlier closing times for shops and encouraged remote working to cut energy demand. Ethiopia has asked some public sector workers to stay home, while the Philippines has introduced subsidies for transport workers and reduced ferry services. Governments worldwide are monitoring the situation closely, with concerns that a prolonged disruption to shipping routes could have broader economic consequences. META: SEO keyword: fuel tax cut
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