Coalition shadow minister defends fuel excise plan as permanent cost-of-living relief measure against government criticism.
Opposition shadow energy minister Dan Tehan rejected government criticism of the Coalition’s fuel excise policy, calling it a sensible approach to help struggling households. Tehan said the opposition has built permanent cost-of-living measures into its budget framework to address ongoing economic pressures.
- ▪Tehan dismissed Labor’s characterization of the fuel excise cut plan as unfair, saying the public is suffering from cost-of-living pressures.
- ▪Opposition argues the policy includes permanent tax system support, not just temporary one-off relief measures.
- ▪Coalition claims its approach offsets inflationary effects through careful budget design and policy work.
- ▪Tehan cited earlier fuel excise changes made when Middle East conflict began as precedent for the current proposal.
- ▪Opposition contends cost-of-living help must be permanent rather than temporary during periods of higher inflation.
- ▪Tehan called for government to consult with voters in their electorates about economic hardship they’re experiencing.
- ▪Coalition positions the plan as more disciplined and structured than Labor’s current approach to energy costs.
- ▪Remarks suggest Middle East tensions remain a backdrop to energy policy discussions in Australia’s political debate.
Source: according to media reports
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