Albo stumbles on price of basic item

The Prime Minister was asked about basic costs in the wake of a major speech to the ALP National Conference, where he said the cost-of-living was the number one priority for his government.

“Can you tell me what the price of petrol is roughly at the moment?” Sky News host Andrew Clennell asked.

“Well, I don’t go and fill up my car. But it was around about $1.80 last time,” the Prime Minister responded.

Mr Albanese’s answer was reminiscent of his predecessor Scott Morrison, who was unable to say just how much essential groceries, such as bread or petrol, cost when asked at the National Press Club.

Former prime minister John Howard, who Mr Morrison considered a mentor, used to be asked the same question.

To avoid stumbles, Mr Howard would carry with him a piece of paper that outlined the running costs of bread, milk and other household staples.

The average weekly price for unleaded petrol tipped 196.5 cents a litre last week, according to data from the Australian Institute of Petroleum.

Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart recorded an average weekly price of more than $2 a litre, while Brisbane had the cheapest price of 188.2 cents a litre.

Motorists are unlikely to see relief at the pump in the coming weeks as the fall in the Australian dollar and global oil prices remains extremely volatile.

Mr Albanese said the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the impact of inflation was continuing to cause pain at the pump.

“We need to continue to do what we can to put lower pressure on inflation,” he said.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the government’s May budget had not adequately addressed the inflation challenge.

“This government has got to show real spending restraint. And it’s got to stop doing things that make the matter worse,” he told Sky News.

Mr Albanese’s wide-ranging interview on Sky News came just days after he outlined his re-election pitch to the ALP National Conference and unveiled a new slogan — “Working for Australia”.

The Prime Minister hinted at a 2025 election when he` was asked if he had the intention of staying on for another full term if he was returned to power.

“Absolutely,” he said on Sunday.

“Politics can change quickly. And we take nothing for granted, certainly not the next election for granted.

“This conference has been an important step, and readying us for the 2025 campaign and beyond.”

Originally published as ‘Do you know?’: Anthony Albanese grilled on the price of petrol