Article by James Morrow courtesy of the Adelaide Advertiser.
Australia’s richest woman has called on the government to give the nation a “Christmas bonus” in the form of a petrol tax excise cut at a time when people are struggling to deal with spiralling costs and said the “woke” agenda threatened living standards.
“Every few dollars counts for people in tough times,” Mrs Rinehart told The Advertiser in an exclusive interview.
“With the stroke of a pen, the government could deliver minor short-term relief to millions by cutting the petrol tax for households. “
“It could happen from the first of December and then, if you must, put it back to usual after Christmas.
“The longer after Christmas, the better.”
“It’s an easy way to help families and the elderly for Christmas and the school holidays… no one is asking for a handout, we just need the government to take less money from Australians.”
Last March, the Morrison government halved the excise tax on fuel from 44.2 to 22.1 cents per litre for six months as part of a suite of pre-election cost of living measures.
That relief was credited with keeping fuel price increases to a minimum at a time when global oil prices were spiking as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Although crude oil prices have come off earlier highs, a number of factors including a weak Australian dollar have meant motorists continue to suffer pain at the pump.
“With high inflation and rising interest rates, all I keep hearing is that people in the bush and the cities need costs cut now more than ever,” Mrs Rinehart said.
