‘Political Band-aid’: cutting Australia’s fuel excise could make petrol shortages worse, economists say

Fuel tax cuts also risk adding to inflation by enabling some households with enough income to spend more

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Fuel excise cuts would be a “political Band-aid” that could worsen petrol shortages and add to inflation, economists have warned.

The mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, Tasmania’s state premier and Liberal opposition leaders in New South Wales and Victoria have called for the Albanese government to cut the excise on petrol and diesel.