Over 40 pc of Australians say US, Israel most responsible for fuel crisis

CANBERRA: Over 40% of Australians blame the United States and Israel for the ongoing fuel crisis, and a majority expect the national economy to worsen in the next six months, according to a poll published on Wednesday.

The latest edition of the Essential Report, a monthly poll on social and political issues conducted by independent firm Essential Research, asked respondents who they most blame for the ongoing fuel crisis, with 42% identifying the United States and Israel for initiating strikes against Iran.

By comparison, 32% of respondents said they most blame the Australian government for not planning ahead, and 17% said that Iran bears the most responsibility for closing the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict in the Middle East caused fuel prices in Australia to soar to record highs in March, prompting the federal and state governments to temporarily cut the fuel sales tax.

Ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers handing down the federal budget for 2026–27 in May, 68% of respondents to the Essential poll said they would strongly or somewhat support a move to extend the fuel tax cut.

Asked about the Australian economy over the next six months, 55% predicted it would worsen and 14% said it would improve.

When the same question was last asked in the August 2025 edition of the poll, 35% of participants said the economy would worsen over the next six months and 22% said it would improve.

The latest edition found that 54% of Australians believe the country is generally heading in the wrong direction, up from 49% in February, compared with 30% who said the country is going in the right direction.

By RSS/Xinhua