42% of Australians blame US, Israel for fuel crisis: Poll
Synopsis
A new Essential Research poll reveals that 42% of Australians blame the US and Israel for the fuel crisis — and economic pessimism has surged to 55%, up from just 35% eight months ago. With Treasurer Jim Chalmers' budget weeks away, public pressure for a permanent fuel tax cut is mounting fast.
Key Takeaways
42 per cent of Australians blame the United States and Israel for the ongoing fuel crisis, according to the Essential Report published 29 April 2025 .
32 per cent blame the Australian government for lack of planning; 17 per cent hold Iran responsible for closing the Strait of Hormuz .
55 per cent of respondents expect the Australian economy to worsen over the next six months, up from 35 per cent in August 2025 .
68 per cent support extending the temporary fuel sales tax cut ahead of the 2026-27 federal budget in May .
54 per cent believe Australia is heading in the wrong direction, up from 49 per cent in February .
Over 42 per cent of Australians hold the United States and Israel responsible for the ongoing fuel crisis, according to the latest Essential Report published on Wednesday, 29 April 2025. The monthly poll, conducted by independent firm Essential Research, also found that a majority of Australians expect the national economy to deteriorate over the next six months — a sharp deterioration in public sentiment compared to mid-2025.
Who Australians Blame for the Fuel Crisis
When asked to identify who bears the most responsibility for the ongoing fuel crisis, 42 per cent of respondents pointed to the United States and Israel for initiating strikes on Iran. By comparison, 32 per cent blamed the Australian government for failing to plan ahead, while 17 per cent held Iran most responsible for closing the Strait of Hormuz.
The Middle East conflict triggered a surge in fuel prices across Australia, with costs reportedly reaching record highs in March. In response, both federal and state governments introduced temporary cuts to the fuel sales tax.
Budget Pressure and Public Expectations
With Treasurer Jim Chalmers set to deliver the federal budget for 2026-27 in May, the poll found that 68 per cent of respondents would strongly or somewhat support extending the fuel tax cut beyond its current temporary window. The finding signals considerable political pressure on the government to provide sustained cost-of-living relief ahead of the budget announcement.
Economic Sentiment at a Low
On the broader economy, 55 per cent of respondents predicted conditions would worsen over the next six months, while only 14 per cent expected improvement. This marks a significant shift from the August 2025 edition of the same poll, when 35 per cent expected the economy to get worse and 22 per cent anticipated improvement.
Notably, the proportion of pessimists has grown by 20 percentage points in roughly eight months — a striking swing that reflects deepening anxiety about the cost of living, fuel prices, and global instability.
National Direction: Growing Pessimism
The latest Essential Report also found that 54 per cent of Australians believe the country is generally heading in the wrong direction, up from 49 per cent in February. Only 30 per cent said Australia is on the right track. This comes amid sustained pressure on household budgets, with fuel costs acting as a visible and daily reminder of broader economic stress.
As the federal budget approaches, the government faces mounting expectations to address fuel affordability while managing fiscal constraints — a balancing act that the poll suggests will define public confidence in the months ahead.
Point of View
Daily metric for global instability, and the government's temporary tax cut has not arrested the slide in sentiment. Treasurer Chalmers walks into the May budget facing a public that is more anxious, more blame-oriented, and more demanding of relief than at any point in recent polling history — a difficult fiscal environment to navigate without either deepening the deficit or deepening the discontent.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do Australians blame most for the fuel crisis?
According to the Essential Report published on 29 April 2025, 42 per cent of Australians blame the United States and Israel for initiating strikes on Iran, which contributed to the fuel crisis. A further 32 per cent blame the Australian government for inadequate planning, while 17 per cent hold Iran responsible for closing the Strait of Hormuz.
What is the Essential Report?
The Essential Report is a monthly poll on social and political issues in Australia, conducted by independent research firm Essential Research. It surveys public opinion on economic conditions, government policy, and national direction.
How has Australian economic sentiment changed since mid-2025?
Economic pessimism has risen sharply. In August 2025, 35 per cent of respondents expected the economy to worsen over the next six months; by April 2025's poll, that figure had jumped to 55 per cent — a 20-percentage-point increase in roughly eight months.
What do Australians want from the 2026-27 federal budget on fuel?
68 per cent of poll respondents said they would strongly or somewhat support extending the temporary fuel sales tax cut, ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivering the federal budget in May.
What share of Australians think the country is heading in the wrong direction?
54 per cent of Australians believe the country is generally heading in the wrong direction, up from 49 per cent in February, compared to just 30 per cent who said Australia is on the right track.
