MEDIA RELEASE
25 September 2026
With diesel prices nearing $3 a litre across the Sunshine Coast and petrol prices not far behind it, families in Fisher are being hit hard at the bowser and would save around 27 cents a litre when global oil prices surge under the Liberals and Nationals’ Fuel Price Shield plan.
Federal Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace MP, said rising fuel prices put immediate pressure on household budgets.
“Every extra dollar you spend on fuel is a dollar less people have for groceries, rent, the mortgage or power bills,” Mr Wallace said.
“Right now, it feels like every tank costs more than the last. For many in our community, another $10 or $20 is money they can’t afford to lose from the household budget.”
Under Fuel Price Shield, fuel excise would automatically be halved when the two-week average for Brent crude oil rises above US$100 a barrel.
At current rates, that would cut the tax on fuel by around 27 cents per litre, saving around $15 on a typical family vehicle.
While the Fuel Price Shield is active, the Road User Charge for heavy vehicle operators would be cut from 32.4 cents a litre to zero.
“The Liberals and Nationals forced Labor to halve the fuel tax in April. But Australians should not have to wait for Prime Minister Albanese to decide whether they get relief,” Mr Wallace said.
“Fuel Price Shield would automatically cut the fuel tax when oil prices soar. When prices return to more normal levels, the regular rate will return.”
Mr Wallace said immediate relief at the bowser was only one part of the Liberals and Nationals’ fuel plan.
“We also need to make Australia less vulnerable to global fuel disruptions in the first place.”
The broader fuel security plan would:
- More than double minimum fuel supply requirements to 60 days.
- Create an $800 million Australian Fuel Security Facility to support more than one billion litres of new storage capacity, with a focus on diesel.
- Launch a daily public fuel dashboard so Australians can check fuel supply levels in real time.
- Support new and prospective refining capacity and remove barriers to increasing Australian fuel supply.
“Fuel Price Shield is about immediate relief when locals need it. Our broader measures are about making sure Australia has the fuel and storage capacity we need.”
“People across the Sunshine Coast rely on their cars to get to work, take their children to school and access essential services. Higher fuel prices also hurt our tradies, small businesses and freight operators, with those costs ultimately flowing through to local families.”
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
