Australia to offer businesses $693 million in cheap loans to ease fuel cost pressure
SYDNEY, April 2 (Reuters) - Australia will provide up to A$1 billion ($693 million) in interest-free loans to critical businesses, including transport operators and fertiliser producers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will say on Thursday, as they grapple with surging fuel costs. The support package comes as the Iran war disrupts global fuel supplies, driving up prices and fuelling concerns of availability as Australia imports more than 80% of its fuel.