General News
28 March, 2026
Chaffey calls for halving of fuel tax
Halving the fuel tax would cut prices by around 26 cents per litre for three months.
Families and small businesses from the Parkes electorate are being hit hard by a deepening national fuel crisis, with the Coalition calling on the Albanese government to immediately halve the fuel tax for three months to deliver urgent relief.
This is a practical step the government can take today to ease pressure on households and small businesses already stretched by rising costs and now facing surging fuel prices.
A corresponding reduction in the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge should also be provided to ease pressure on freight and keep costs down across the economy.
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said people across the Parkes electorate are already feeling the strain.
“Families and businesses in the electorate of Parkes are paying more for everything, and now they are being hit at the bowser as well,” Mr Chaffey said.
“Inflation has already beaten this Government, and now a national fuel crisis is making it worse.
“Across the Parkes electorate, we are seeing independent fuel distributors who have no fuel to supply, farmers unable to farm and families who will not be able to get together at Christmas. This huge increase or unavailability of fuel is hitting farmers, industry, small businesses and families.
“There will be a huge flow-on effect in the form of higher prices for all Australians if farmers cannot farm, and transporters can’t get the goods that are available to market.
“When a government cannot manage the basics, Australians pay the price.
“We will protect Australians’ way of life and restore their standard of living. Right now, that means an immediate tax cut at the bowser and a government that gets fuel where it is needed.”
The Coalition is also putting forward sensible options to fund this relief without adding to inflationary pressure, including:
Ending the Electric Car Discount
Reversing the Government’s green hydrogen subsidies and tax credits
Pausing and strengthening integrity controls around the Home Battery Scheme
These measures will fully fund the $1.5 billion temporary tax cut while easing broader demand pressures in the economy.
“People in the Parkes electorate cannot afford more delay or more excuses,” Mr Chaffey said. “The Government needs to act now to get fuel where it is needed and deliver immediate cost of living relief.”
