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Government faces backlash over $20m fuel campaign

The federal government is facing criticism after spending $20 million on a fuel-saving campaign to encourage Australians to reduce driving and conserve petrol as the war in the Middle East continues to wreak havoc on prices and supply.

In a campaign blitz titled "Every little bit helps", the government will urge the public to reconsider driving habits, take public transport and offer tips for better fuel efficiency.

Drivers will be asked to use their car less, drive smoothly to avoid excessive fuel use, carry less weight in the car and to walk or take the train or bus instead of driving.

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Petrol prices Australia

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The expensive advertising campaign is now being met with scepticism over its efficacy.

Former Nationals leader and Maranoa MP David Littleproud said motorists don't need an expensive TV ad to convince them to reel back spending at the bowser.

"You're not spending the money because you can see the price, the price is constraining how much you're putting in the tank. You're only using what you need to because of the price," Littleproud told Today.

"The government doesn't need to spend $20 million dollar on an advertising campaign.

"The prices are doing that themselves at the bowser."

Littleproud disagreed that it was unfair for politicians to ask everyday Aussies to reduce their driving while enjoying taxpayer-funded wheels.

He said most MPs need cars to adequately serve their electorate.

"You cant travel an electorate three times the size of Victoria on your own wallet," he said of his own seat.

Fuel saving plan federal government

3AW's Shane McInnes said the campaign was in contrast to the government's assertion that Australia's fuel supply was not in jeopardy.

"Why are we spending $20 million to say save fuel, when the PM has repeatedly said there's no fuel shortage?" he asked.

"We are told time and time again, no there is no supply shortage

"This is a complete juxtaposition to what we're being told by the government. Are we not being told the whole truth here?"

The fuel information and tips will be advertised across television and online, along with select outdoor sites including billboards and bus stations.

The campaign will cost about $20 million in taxpayer funds.

It will be officially launched nationwide tomorrow, two weeks after the government held an urgent national cabinet meeting to discuss the fuel crisis.

Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King said the advice will help keep Australia's essential workers on the road.

"The global fuel shortage is affecting us all, and every little bit helps. From running errands in fewer trips to only filling up with the fuel you need, this will help us keep essential services moving," King said.

"The rollout of this campaign and National Fuel Security Plan ensures that we can get the public the information they need, and keep them updated if and when the situation may change."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong during a joint press conference at Istana Villa in Singapore on April 10, 2026. fedpol Photo: Dominic Lorrimer

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Australia is now in the second stage of the government's "keep Australia moving" plan, devised during national cabinet talks.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen yesterday said Australia's fuel reserves were in a reasonably healthy position, with diesel stocks up and petrol and jet fuel stocks slightly reduced.

"That's up two days for diesel, down a day for petrol and down two days for jet fuel," Bowen said.

He said Australia has 38 days' worth of petrol, 31 days' worth of diesel, and 28 days' worth of jet fuel in reserve.

Tomorrow's campaign launch also follows Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Singapore, where he struck a deal with his counterpart Lawrence Wong to keep fuel flowing into Australia.

Singapore promised to do everything in its power to keep supplying Australia with 55 per cent of its petrol.

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Australia has struck a fuel deal with Singapore. But why are prices still high?

Australians should not expect any significant reduction in fuel prices after the government struck a deal with Singapore to keep refined oil flowing into the country.

Singapore has assured Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that it will do everything in its power to ensure more than half of the country's fuel imports continue arriving in Australia.

But will this have any material impact on the still sky-high petrol and diesel prices?

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong during a joint press conference at Istana Villa in Singapore on April 10, 2026. fedpol Photo: Dominic Lorrimer

READ MORE: The $20 million taxpayer spend urging Aussies to drive less

According to Nine's chief political editor Charles Croucher, this won't change anything at the bowser.

"Unfortunately I think this is fuel security, not a fuel surplus," Croucher told Today.

"So don't expect there's going to be a flood of availability coming to Australia that causes prices to go down."

Just over 170 service stations across Australia are now out of diesel.

Diesel prices are still hovering above the $3 per litre mark, despite government efforts to put downward pressure on oil companies with a temporary excise reduction.

The average price of diesel is $3.17 per litre and $2.20 for unleaded, according to Fuel Radar.

Fuel prices on April 11 in Alphington, Victoria

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Singapore supplies just 15 per cent of Australia's diesel and 55 per cent of the country's petrol.

More mutual energy agreements may need to be struck elsewhere in the Asia to shore up Australia's supply outside of reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, including Korea, Brunei and Japan.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is reportedly planning a visit to Australia later this month.

It is expected the Japanese PM will discuss the Strait of Hormuz and the supply of rare-earth minerals.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has previously warned there will be a "long tail" even after the conflict ends and ships begin sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Even if it opened today, there's a big backlog of ships, there's been gas plants bombed out of existence," he told reporters on yesterday.

"The international energy situation will take a long time to recover from this. This is not over."

He said Australia has 38 days' worth of petrol, 31 days' worth of diesel, and 28 days' worth of jet fuel in reserve.

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Girl, seven, drowns at popular Queensland river

A seven-year-old girl has drowned while swimming at a popular Queensland river in a school holiday tragedy.

Emergency services were called to Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve in Chuwar, Ipswich, west of Brisbane, just after 5pm yesterday following reports a young girl had failed to resurface from the river.

It is understood the girl cried for help before going under the water.

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Emergency services were called to Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve in Chuwar, Ipswich, west of Brisbane, just after 5pm yesterday following reports a young girl had failed to resurface from the river.Emergency services were called to Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve in Chuwar, Ipswich, west of Brisbane, just after 5pm yesterday following reports a young girl had failed to resurface from the river.

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A major search and rescue operation was launched to find the schoolgirl.

Police divers recovered her body shortly before 10.30pm.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Queensland Ambulance Service said a school-aged boy had also been taken to Ipswich Hospiral after being rescued from the water at the same time.

He remains in a stable condition.

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