Australians urged to use public transport amid energy supply crisis

JAKARTA - Australians are urged to switch to public transport as the Middle East conflict has affected energy supplies to much of Asia.

Warning that "the months ahead may not be easy," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in a rare national address to Australians, said: "if you're travelling by private vehicle, don't take more fuel than you need."

"If you can switch to using trains, buses, or trams to work, do it. It will build our reserves and save fuel for the community," said Albanese, as Australia has begun to use its strategic reserves.

Canberra has also ordered emergency fuel supplies from the US for the first time in decades.

Australia only gets 2 per cent of its energy products, worth $37 billion by 2024, from the Middle East, and has halved its fuel tax.

"We are working to lower the price of fuel, produce more fuel here, and keep it within the country," he said, adding that the war in the Middle East had caused "the biggest increase in gasoline and diesel prices in history."

"And getting more fuel here, using our strong trading links with the region to bring more petrol, diesel and fertiliser to Australia," Albanese said.

He also noted that "no government can promise to eliminate the pressure caused by this war."

"These are uncertain times, but I really believe this: we will face this challenge in the Australian way, working together and looking after each other, as we always have," he said.

Albanese said although Australia was "not an active participant" in the ongoing war in the Middle East, "all Australians pay a higher price because of it."

Regional escalation in the Middle East has continued since Israel and the US launched an attack on Iran on February 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including Iran's then-supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage as well as disrupting global markets and flights.

At least 13 US soldiers have been killed and dozens more wounded in the ongoing armed conflict.

Iran has maintained effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital for energy supplies to Asian countries.