Families and small businesses across Farrer are hurting under the escalating Labor cost of living crisis, with the skyrocketing fuel costs pushing many closer to the brink.

Liberal candidate for Farrer Raissa Butkowski called on the Albanese government to immediately halve the fuel tax for three months to deliver urgent relief that people across Farrer need.

“This is a concrete and immediate step that the government can take to take some pressure off Farrer households and small businesses facing soaring bills and surging fuel prices,” Ms Butkowski said.

“Travelling around the electorate, I have seen local service stations that had run out of petrol or had been forced to impose fuel limits – one service station owner I spoke to was reduced to tears when talking by the prospect of local school buses no longer being able to take kids long distances to school; while another almost broke down when about the stress caused by fuel prices and shortages.

“Fuel is essential for an electorate like Farrer, and the current situation is triggering an economic and a potential mental health crisis as people try and cope with the burden that is being placed on them.

“That is why I am so vigorously backing Liberal advocacy to halve the fuel tax for three months, which would cut prices by around 26 cents per litre, and a corresponding reduction in the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to ease pressure on freight and help our local businesses keep their costs down.”

The Liberals have suggested specific ways this relief can be responsibly delivered by reprioritising other government spending programs, without adding to inflationary pressure, including:

• Ending the Electric Car Discount

• Reversing the Government’s green hydrogen subsidies and tax credits

• Pausing and strengthening integrity controls around the Home Battery Scheme

These measures will fully fund the $1.5 billion temporary tax cut while easing broader demand pressures in the economy.

“The government needs to act now to get fuel where it is needed and deliver immediate cost of living relief,” said Ms Butkowski.

Farrer residents are encouraged to sign a petition calling on the prime minister to halve the fuel tax for three months, and report fuel shortages in their area, to help Liberals fight for a better deal for Farrer - www.liberal.org.au/lets-halve-fuel-tax