Regional Australians in Cowper will benefit from immediate cost-of-living relief from an incoming Coalition Government, thanks to the Coalition’s commitment to halve the fuel excise for 12 months.

Pat Conaghan Federal Member for Cowper said the Coalition’s major election announcement for cost-of-living relief at the fuel pump will be immediate for residents of the mid north coast.

“Australians need help now, and halving fuel excise is a practical and meaningful way to help deal with the cost-of-living,” Mr. Conaghan said.

“We know locals in Cowper tend to drive further and rely heavily on their vehicles, so this announcement benefits this region especially and is one I am proud to support.”

Under a Coalition Government, petrol and diesel excise rates will reduce from 50.8 cents to 25.4 cents per litre.

A household in Cowper with one vehicle filling up once a week will save $14 a week – an average benefit of around $700-750 over 12 months, based on a 55-litre tank.

For households with two cars filling up once a week, they will save around $28 a week on average, or close to $1500 over 12 months.

“Legislation enacting the Coalition’s excise cut would be introduced on the first sitting day of the next Parliament, with the cut to come into effect as quickly as possible. This policy does two things Labor has failed to do – it provides immediate relief and is fiscally responsible.

“Businesses also benefit from this practical help, particularly when coupled with the Coalition’s $30,000 instant asset write-off, when compared to Labor’s ineffective $1,000.

“Labor’s message for families in Cowper, in many cases battling $50,000 a year more on their mortgage, plus more on their energy bills and more on their food bills, was waiting 15 months to pay 70 cents less a day, in a cruel tax hoax.”

The Coalition halved fuel excise almost three years ago to the day in a pre-election Budget, which Labor did not continue in office despite Coalition calls for it to be extended.