The prime minister’s three-minute national address aired at 6pm across major TV and radio outlets and drew criticism over its substance, prompting a public response from the opposition.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor plans a prime-time right-to-reply address on ABC in response to the prime minister’s nationwide broadcast, marking the first such broadcast since the Covid era.

Taylor had already voiced his criticism on ABC Radio that the address was unnecessary and could have been conveyed as a social media post, and he confirmed a 7pm Thursday ABC TV appearance to deliver his response.

In his address, the prime minister urged Australians to enjoy Easter while promoting public transit to save fuel for critical industries, and warned that the coming months may be difficult due to the war in the Middle East.

The context sees Albanese speaking ahead of a national event in Canberra, with the message reflecting broader political discourse on energy, fuel availability, and national security amid global tensions.

Reactions to the address were mixed: a Sky News commentator described it as an unpaid advertisement, One Nation’s Pauline Hanson criticized it and floated a fuel-rationing idea, and social media commentary questioned its energy.