Anthony Albanese favors aid over fuel tax cut, saying "putting that downward pressure on inflation"

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking from California on ABC's Insiders, favored a narrower approach over the Coalition's plan to automatically reduce fuel excise by half if oil prices surpass US$100, a proposal Taylor said could cost $950 million a month. Albanese cautioned that tax reductions of that kind would drive inflation higher, and he agreed with host David Speers that an earlier temporary fuel excise cut had added to inflationary pressure. He said his government would consider the available economic options while keeping inflation control as its priority. The exchange highlights a disagreement over how to respond to potential oil price spikes and inflation: the Coalition favors an automatic tax cut, while Albanese backs focused assistance and warns broad tax reductions could worsen inflation.