MARANOA MP David Littleproud is out and about, selling the Opposition’s policy on fuel excise well before the next Federal Election.
Speaking on Nine’s Weekend Today show, Mr Littleproud, who also serves as the Shadow Minister for Tourism, made it clear that under a Coalition Government, fuel excise would be cut in half whenever the price of crude oil was above the sensitive mark of USD$100 per barrel.
Critics have claimed the Opposition’s pitch to the public is nothing but an ‘open cheque’ but the former Nationals Leader appears comfortable with that.
“I think this gives a little bit of certainty in uncertain times, it’s temporary, it’s targeted, and there’s certainty. And when it hits that trigger point, that it really hits that threshold, not just for households, but you’ve got to understand this is also for the transport industry,” he said.
“And I think you’ve got to understand while some are saying this is inflationary, being targeted like this isn’t as inflationary as just having it full stop in cutting that excise. It goes towards our roads, but putting it towards the the heavy road user charge and taking that off truckies actually keeps prices down.
“We’re a big continent, and getting food from a paddock to your plate costs a lot of money for our transport industry. And I think that’s the most important element of this: is giving certainty to the transport industry, trying to put downward pressure on your prices from continuing to go up at the checkout.
“I think is a very targeted approach, and having a set $100 a barrel threshold gives certainty to the public. And we actually can also then track a lot of these companies, these fuel companies, about their pricing. So I think it fits in well. It’s sensible, and it’s just giving that bit of help here at home.”
The next election must be held by 2028 but the Prime Minister reserves the right to call it at any time beforehand.
POSTED: Sunday, September 20, 2026