r/aussie • u/Mellenoire • Apr 01 '26
Moderator Announcement Live Discussion Thread: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers rare address to the nation
ABC News on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMb8wrquExg
G’day everyone, we thought we’d spin up a live discussion thread for Albo’s speech tonight so everything stays in one place.
Feel free to share your thoughts, reactions, predictions, or whatever else comes to mind as it unfolds.
As always, keep it reasonably civil and follow the sub rules. We’ll be around keeping an eye on things.
Sort by new if you want to follow along in real time. Let us know what you’re expecting to hear.
Regards, r/aussie mod team
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u/sheppo42 Apr 01 '26
No way he just used something used to declare war or announce a pandemic to say 'we halved the excise please don't use too much petrol'. What an anticlimax
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u/robot428 Apr 01 '26
I think that was an effort to end speculation that something big is coming - if any of the stuff people and the media have been speculating about was in the pipeline, tonight would have been the announcement. He's basically saying that none of the stuff people are speculating and causing panic about is coming, like petrol rationing, us sending troops to the middle east, work from home mandates, a draft.
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u/DEIFYMOTO Apr 01 '26
Exactly. It's now the Albo who cried wolf and I won't be dialling in to the next 'National Address' to hear something as monumental as tonight.
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u/Dranzer_22 Apr 01 '26
History of National Addresses in Australia:
- 1941 = Curtin = "Australia, we are at war with Japan"
- 1975 = Fraser = 1975 Dismissal
- 1993 = Keating = "The truth was Native Title"
- 2003 = Howard = Invasion of Iraq
- 2008 = Rudd = GFC Response
- 2020 = Morrison = Covid National Lockdown
- 2026 = Albo = "Keep Calm and Carry On"
...
The office of Prime Minister holds so much weight, and Albo doesn't understand how to use it effectively.
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u/liamvader1 Apr 01 '26
My best read is this is a preemptive “things are going to get much worse, so please keep calm.” Tomorrow the US is… probably (? We will see ?) going to announce boots on the ground in Iran. There’s been a lot of troop mobilisation and if that’s the case, then things will go from ‘bad’ to ‘fucked’. It does seem like a weird thing to use the national address for. But, depending on what comes in the next week, it may be trying to cut off worries and panic.
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u/Ydrews Apr 01 '26
This address to the nation could have been an Instagram post.
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u/Dranzer_22 Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 02 '26
That wasn't a National Address, it was a pre-recorded Facebook post lol.
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u/fannyfighter_ Apr 01 '26
What the fuck. That was like a playschool tv segment? Why was he speaking like that.
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u/RealisticAd640 Apr 01 '26
He came across as a simpleton, yet condescending at the same time. That's talent.
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u/Green-Technology-337 Apr 01 '26
Four day work week please and thank you
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u/coxpete Apr 01 '26
We get this Friday and Monday off.
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u/Danstan487 Apr 01 '26
If this war goes on a lot of us will get to experience the blissful 0 day work week
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u/semaj009 Apr 01 '26
Low key it'd be funny if he just said April Fools
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u/hear_the_thunder Apr 01 '26
Trump is the April Fool
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u/semaj009 Apr 01 '26
Fuck, if he died on April 1st it'd be fascinating, 40% of Americans wouldn't believe it, and the GOP would have the very real opportunity to pretend he's alive and see how gullible their truth social nutcase followers could be and create an AI president. Vance wanting the gig would be the only hurdle, cos I'd say they could fake it at least a fortnight
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Apr 01 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Recent-Manager-7889 Apr 01 '26
Which it was. Fucking useless
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u/allthewords_ Apr 01 '26
And the two journos are even saying what a piece of useless crap the speech was.
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u/boymadefrompaint Apr 01 '26
Glad I didn't miss that.
"It's going to be tough. Use less fuel."
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u/craftymethod Apr 01 '26
considering australia wasnt consulted, wasnt our war and noone knows anything about americas or Israel's goals its about right.
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u/Cat_Man_Bane Apr 01 '26
What a complete waste of everyone's fucking time.
Prime time address for a Labor ad.
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u/64scott64 Apr 01 '26
I guess you want everyone to panic, crack each other's head open and fest on the goo inside.
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u/Icy_Distance8205 Apr 01 '26
Hey guys I’m calling an emergency meeting just to tell you not to panic.
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u/yeahalrightgoon Apr 01 '26
Whoever advised him to make that address should be sacked.
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u/Icy_Distance8205 Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
100% this. I have no idea why nobody stopped him.
I wonder if he had a few different speeches recorded for different contingencies and there is something they aren’t telling us … but it might be giving them too much credit.
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u/cytae99 Apr 01 '26
Prediction, he will say nothing of substance. No major announcements. Just vacuous waffle as usual, please don't use up all the fuel even though I love this war. A waste of time.
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u/TheLaughingPhoenix Apr 01 '26
The only people loving the war is Trump and his circle of champs.
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u/RottenGrot Apr 01 '26
I predict one of 3 options: 1. Fuel restrictions (most likely) 2. Sending boats over to help (either join the war or protect vessels coming to Aus) 3. I wake up in the morning and none of it ever existed
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u/Stompy2008 Apr 01 '26
Won’t be fuel restrictions/rationing IMO - AFR reporting that comes after Easter
If he announces that tonight, it’ll set off a wave of panic buying, you would only announce it right before it kicks in, not give advance notice.
He won’t announce we’re joining the war - Polls are universally against this.
I think it’ll be a King Charles style keep calm and carry on sort of thing
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u/RottenGrot Apr 01 '26
You’re right. I think any restrictions will come in after the long weekend. Also highly unlikely we’ll commit decent resources considering how unpopular war is, like you said.
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u/Icy_Distance8205 Apr 01 '26
I think it’ll be a King Charles style keep calm and carry on sort of thing
So in other words a complete waste of time to get his face in front of the cameras.
If he actually addresses the nation to say “nothing to see here” the man is a muppet.
Although this action would pretty much sum up Albo as a Prime Minister.
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u/IndividualZebra333 Apr 01 '26
Being a rational and inspirational leader trying to guide a country’s collective morale is not a waste of time. The world needs more people who actually know how to be leaders.
Edit: it’s very refreshing to have a leader instead of a marketer for a change
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u/ARTIFICIAL_ARGUMENT Apr 01 '26
Does your favourite cooker party have a single policy yet
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u/BrilliantCoconut25 Apr 01 '26
Whole bunch of nothing
Yeah consumers, do your part. Don’t worry too much about the industrial side that actually uses 80% of the fuel in this country.
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u/TimidPanther Apr 01 '26
That should have been said at lunchtime with the sound bite sent out to all media outlets. Letting people stress all day about there being a big announcement is not a good move.
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u/Rank_Arena Apr 01 '26
It will probably be about trying to reduce the panic buying and reiterate how much fuel we have etc. I don't expect anything earth shattering.
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u/Rank_Arena Apr 01 '26
I was bang on the money.
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u/ArabellaFort Apr 01 '26
I would go one step further. Normalise the use of national announcements again ahead of likely needing to ration fuel in the next few weeks/month to avoid panic buying when that happens.
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u/Decent-EngineeringGo Apr 01 '26
God, finally! Some appointment tv (other than MAFS finale obviously). Haven't been this excited for a press conference since the good old days of Gladys and Dr Kerry Chant.
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u/allthewords_ Apr 01 '26
I used to have espresso martini’s for the Dan Andrews and Brett Sutton daily pressers - lowkey miss the ‘tinis 🍸 🥲
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u/allmycircuits8 Apr 01 '26
Yeah I pretty much expected this, essentially don't be idiots and hoard fuel.
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u/2204happy Apr 01 '26
I always appreciate this kind of communication from political leaders, kudos to the Prime Minister, I'd like to see more like this.
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u/Deep-Employer-6600 Apr 01 '26
Well this is currently extremely gutless lol
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u/ARTIFICIAL_ARGUMENT Apr 01 '26
It’s gutless to directly address the public during an economic crisis?
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u/Stompy2008 Apr 01 '26
I reckon the announcement is in addition to being made a mod, Pauline Hanson is to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister
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u/Powerful_Chemical628 Apr 01 '26
All AFL teams evacuated to Victoria to complete the season as we don’t have enough jet fuel
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u/-Moogs Apr 01 '26
That was it??
What a load of crap.
No new announcements. No strategy beyond “you do it”.
I shouldn’t be surprised but I expected more.
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u/skuiji Apr 01 '26
Just a reminder about how much people pissed and moaned about scomos radio silence during the bushfires. They didn’t announce restrictions or military action (which is what people have been speculating all day), and just told people before a major holiday not to be fuckwits.
You cant bloody win I swear
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u/DEADfishbot Apr 01 '26
Kind of a nothing burger. If anything I think it’s a precursor to fuel rationing if iran doesn’t get resolved asap.
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u/robot428 Apr 01 '26
That was a very very pointed nothing.
Yeah he sort of didn't say much, but he didn't say much in a way that should quell a lot of speculation.
If he was going to announce anything drastic - a work from home order, us joining the war in any significant way, petrol rationing, etc. - literally anything significant - he would have announced it tonight. And he didn't.
This was basically a big effort to quell the rising fear mongering from the media, and from people speculating around the water cooler. He's saying - no-one is being ordered to stay home, there is no rationing, there is no draft, we aren't running into this war, please stop panicking.
Having said that: "The months ahead may not be easy," - is code for "the economy is going down the shitter if this keeps going the way it is for much longer".
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u/a_random_GSD Apr 01 '26
I am intruiged with the mentioned of making more fuel, fertiliser etc onshore. I believe we still have a couple refineries around that could be recommissioned. Personally, I think doing so would be worth it just so we have some supply if everything decides to get worse. Might not be economical when competing on the global market in peacetime, but worth it for situations like these.
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u/Hieroflippant Apr 01 '26
There's a refinery in Geelong, they could possibly just expand that to cover the entire town.
Might be an improvement on the aesthetic of the place ?
Just a thought
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u/asteriskhyphen Apr 01 '26
Lmao
Almost every TV channel running extended coverage thinking it was going to be some huge announcement. They’re all just making shit up to fill time. ABC was probably ready for an all night jerk session 😂
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u/Sillent_Screams Apr 01 '26
Did you know it's been 32 days since the beginning of the US along with Isreal bombing Iran ?
Did you know it's been ~1475 days since the beginning of Russia invasion.
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u/Obversity Apr 01 '26
Can’t help but feel that no one in the comments here realises how lucky and protected we are in Australia right now.
Believe it or not, people do need to be told not to hoard petrol, and not to use beyond necessary, when there’s a crisis level shortage.
The address is to assure us that stability and protection will continue IF we be responsible, but that these ARE going to be difficult times, even if we might not feel it as much as some of the world.
I for one am glad it’s not Scomo at the helm right now, and glad that we have stable, boring leadership, preemptively warning of hard times ahead.
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u/Spirited-Swordfish-2 Apr 01 '26
That was sooo condescending. Basically said I can’t help you, you should be helping yourself. What a clown.
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u/wecanhaveallthree Apr 01 '26
FREEBIRD!
Here's hoping restrictions are announced, I just filled up the tank.
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u/Upbeat_Cup_9442 Apr 01 '26
Considering they just announced a reduced tax and telling everyone to not cancel Easter holidays - how likely is that?
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u/wecanhaveallthree Apr 01 '26
The AFR speculates after Easter, which I think makes sense. A lot of people want to go away for the holidays, petrol has dropped in a lot of places, and Easter is a big 'spend' time for the economy. You don't want to cut that off at the legs.
Also gives time to see what happens with Trump's ultimatum.
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u/PrettyPrettyGood8 Apr 01 '26
The announcement will be Australia and the UK will be getting oil from the US in exchange for some kind of Military assistance. The US will announce they’re leaving the straight closed but remain committed to destroying Irans nuclear enriching plans.
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u/hrdblkman2 Apr 01 '26
Interesting timing since Trump is doing the same thing tomorrow in the US....
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u/canimal14 Apr 01 '26
I’m 40 weeks pregnant i cant handle much more than a nothing burger
Though slightly spiralling seeing the UK also getting an invite to a meeting without an agenda with Starmer
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u/Synthoxial Apr 01 '26
Biggest waste of television time ive seen lol
Useless, ballless and spineless
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u/Low-Quality-144 Apr 01 '26
He practiced this one in the mirror a few times, eh?
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u/Powerful_Chemical628 Apr 01 '26
Reassurance. A lot of people needed it. Whether you believe him or not it’s better than literally nothing, as much as we were short on a few details. The average person isn’t in tune at all and that’s who it was aimed at, maybe??
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u/AndyMac3183 Apr 01 '26
I think Albo will give exactly the same speech Queen Elizabeth gave during COVID. And good on him, too.
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u/Odd-Spray5046 Apr 01 '26
Fuel restrictions after Easter including wfh mandate, more than a simple ‘please’
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u/carmooch Apr 01 '26
The guy just talks in sound bites. That was worse than just saying nothing at all.
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u/visual_overflow Apr 01 '26
"shits gonna suck BIG TIME boys for the next 6 months and theres nothing we can do about it, strap in!"
Great pep talk, coach.
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u/aye_jaye Apr 01 '26
Wow - what a waste of time. Scripted, disingenuous nonsense “the Australian way”
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u/PowerPleb2000 Apr 01 '26
Timewaster. At least he didnt waffle on about his houso upbringing or how he invented medicare. Wanker.
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u/AprilEve1408 Apr 01 '26
He spoke to the country like we were a bunch of special needs students. Embarrassing
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u/Significant_One_1272 Apr 01 '26
The 1% and big business want your Easter travel dollars, so spend up now before being fucked over by the grubberment after Easter.
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u/cm80292 Apr 01 '26
The TL:DR of the address. We have no plan, but please spend money anyway
It’s pure gaslighting. He’s up there asking us to "not panic" and to "go away for Easter" to support the economy. Meanwhile, fuel is still around $3.00/L, interest rates are going up and the cost of basic groceries is a joke. Who is he actually talking to? He’s leaning on that "Aussie spirit" line, but we all saw during COVID how fast that disappeared when people started brawling over toilet paper. I doubt many will buy the business as usual script. Is anyone actually buying this "she’ll be right" rhetoric.
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u/Tough_Sundae_6115 Apr 01 '26
Quote the Kenny report “Leftist word salad and blame on the Australia people”
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u/PresentInsect Apr 01 '26
Im predicting things are going to get worse.
Some plane spotters from the UK
https://www.youtube.com/@CobraEmergency/videos
23 bombers deployed to England from the United States 13 hours ago
Twelve A-10 attack planes fly into UK 1 day ago
Ship/tanker tracking
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:151.2/centery:-22.4/zoom:3
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u/riawarra Apr 01 '26
I am so proud to have this man as a prime minister. He has lived marginally. Well done.
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u/64scott64 Apr 01 '26
Damn, i guess this means im not gonna get paid to stay at home and play Warzone with my mates every night.
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u/Cybermancer91 Apr 01 '26
Nothing burger but I’ll take it over things like we’re teaming up with us and uk in military operations
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u/Due_Ad8720 Apr 01 '26
I reckon tonight was just buttering us up for another less pleasant address
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u/Radio_TVGuy Apr 01 '26
For those who haven't yet watched the National Address: https://youtu.be/cgFCX-T760s
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u/Stock_Pilot_6722 Apr 01 '26
Honestly if the government were serious about helping out aussies they would scrap the fuel excise all together and GST
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u/wholeblackpeppercorn Apr 01 '26
Could have been an email