Fowler MP Dai Le calls out government over fuel tax levy amid inflation

New Fowler MP Dai Le says Anthony Albanese should not be afraid of being accused of “backflipping” when it comes to keeping 22 cent/litre discount.

Fowler independent Dai Le has renewed her calls for the federal government to extend the cut to the fuel excise levy, less than 24 hours after New Zealand said it would keep similar cuts in force until January.

“We need to do this now and not wait until the last minute,” Ms Le said.

“Look at what New Zealand has done – that’s what leadership is about.”

“Families cannot afford the 10 per cent increase in petrol prices when the fuel excise tax cut runs out in September and our economy cannot afford the pressure of more inflation.”

Ms Le said the government should not be afraid of being accused of “backflipping” on the policy, despite Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek ruling out a change to the cut, which was announced by then-Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the last budget of the Morrison government.

Dai Le pictured in Canley Heights. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“They should not be afraid to change their mind when the community needs their help and it is in the best interest of the economy,” Ms Le said.

On Sunday, New Zealand announced that it was extending a similar cut in the fuel excise tax in response to ongoing inflationary pressures.

“There’s no easy fix for the cost of living, but we’re taking a range of actions to ease the pressure on families,” New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in a statement.

New Zealand and Australia are facing similar economic and inflationary pressures stemming from a variety of factors including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the effects of massive Covid-related stimulus payments flowing through the economy.

Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced that inflation had fallen to 3.5 per cent, its lowest level since August, 1974.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Picture: Jerad Williams

While good news for jobseekers, economists said that it was an indicator the economy was overheating and that inflation and interest rates were likely to head north putting further pressure on household budgets.

On Sunday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers conceded that there was a “spike” in inflation.

“When it comes to inflation expectations, I think there’s the universal expectation that inflation will get a bit worse before it gets a bit better,” he said.

Originally published as Fowler MP Dai Le calls out government over fuel tax levy amid inflation