As the fuel crisis worsens and more sectors call for help, Labor must be prepared to make tough choices

With the government warning of a ‘long tail’ to the current fuel crisis, Jim Chalmers’ May budget will have even more demands on spending than usual Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Monday’s national cabinet meeting is not likely to endorse petrol rationing across Australia – but you can see more serious government interventions on the horizon. The Albanese government doesn’t expect this fuel crisis to suddenly resolve itself. “Even if this conflict was to end tomorrow, there is going to be a long tail … this situation is not going to end any time soon,” the environment minister, Murray Watt, warned on Sunday. As the federal budget nears on 12 May, businesses are calling for help and focus is turning to those vulnerable Australians hit hardest by inflation, interest rates and now ballooning fuel prices. The Albanese government will focus in parliament this week on its plan to underwrite petrol companies to secure more supply but most of the fuel problem is logistical, not legislative; so there are other levers that governments could start pulling. Anthony Albanese will outline more of his approach in