Albanese urges increased ‘self-reliance and economic resilience’ ahead of snap national cabinet meeting over fuel crisis

<p>Australian prime minister says US–Israeli war on Iran has shifted the international reality, likening current economic shock to Covid pandemic and Ukraine invasion</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/mar/18/australia-news-live-trump-iran-nato-hormuz-interest-rates-rba-cost-of-living-jim-chalmers-economy-fuel-price-crisis-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Anthony Albanese says the federal government is preparing new measures to help shield households from the economic fallout of the war in Iran, likening supply chain and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/17/australia-petrol-panic-buying-jerry-cans">fuel disruptions</a> to the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p>Announcing a snap meeting of national cabinet on fuel supply set to take place on Thursday morning, the prime minister used a speech to the Australian Automotive Dealer Association in Sydney to warn the international reality had shifted because of the US and Israeli-led bombings.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/18/anthony-albanese-national-cabinet-iran-war-fuel-shortages-self-reliance-economic-resilience">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →