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The New Daily
The New Daily
Business
Matthew Elmas

Explained: Petrol prices are smashing records, so why isn’t fuel tax on the agenda?

One of John Howard's embarrassing moments as PM demonstrates how the politics of petrol has changed. Photo: AAP

In 2001, former prime minister John Howard was forced into an embarrassing retreat after admitting he didn’t understand how rising petrol prices were squeezing Australians.

Bowser boards were rapidly climbing towards $1 a litre for the first time in Australian history, and, with an election coming, Mr Howard conceded he was “plainly wrong” in earlier refusing to ease fuel taxes for motorists.

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