Share and Follow
Prime Minister Albanese is expected to present Australia’s strategy for addressing the ongoing conflict and its effects on fuel availability, along with ways that Australians can contribute to the efforts.
His special address is scheduled for 7 PM AEDT and will be broadcast live across all television and radio networks. Viewers can also tune in via the stream at the top of this page or on 9news.com.au.
This address offers the Prime Minister an opportunity to explain the government’s fuel plan and to alleviate public anxiety regarding the situation in the Middle East, according to Charles Croucher, Nine’s chief political editor.
“Such addresses are relatively rare,” remarked Croucher. “They usually occur during significant national events or crises.”
“It reminds me of the historic moment when Robert Menzies solemnly informed Australians that the nation was entering World War II,” he added.
Croucher said the timing of this national address is important.
This is the last opportunity for Albanese to address Australia before the Easter break and, in many states, school holidays.
“The next two weeks should also see the [Middle East] conflict end, according to President Trump, and it will see a pinch point for the pressure on [oil] supply,” Croucher said.
He doubts Albanese will make any major announcements, such as fuel rationing, and said it’s more likely the prime minister will share a plan for the nation moving forward.
The last time a prime minister gave a nation address of this scale was during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Scott Morrison spoke to the people of Australia on the evening of Thursday, March 12 as borders slammed shut and the country went into the first of many lockdowns.
He outlined government plans to manage the impacts of the virus and reassured Aussies that “we are well prepared and are well equipped to deal with it”.
About 12 years prior, Kevin Rudd addressed the nation regarding the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008.
“I have absolute confidence that as a nation, we will get through these tough times together,” he concluded his address.
Tonight, Albanese will deliver his own national address while across the globe, US President Donald Trump prepares to do the same.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed today that he will “provide an important update on Iran” at 9pm on Wednesday local time (midday Thursday in Australia).
Leavitt’s announcement came just hours after Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that US forces could leave Iran in “two or three weeks”.
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.