‘Uncertain times’: Albanese warns months ahead ‘may not be easy’ in rare address to nation about Middle East crisis

Prime minister urges Australians to consider using public transport and conserve fuel for ‘critical industry’ and others

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Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has used a rare address to the nation to attempt to allay public fears over dwindling fuel supplies, vowing to keep petrol prices down by shoring up international supplies and ramping up local production.

But the opposition has been scathing of the address, describing it as “nothing but hot air” and urging more clarity over the fuel crisis.