Petrol plans, Middle East war, and Dezi Freeman details | ABC News Top Stories

As the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to disrupt fuel supply chains, federal government measures to tackle high prices are copping criticism.

From tomorrow, the government will halve the tax paid on fuel for three months, to lower costs at the bowser.

But economists are warning the measure could worsen inflation and spark another interest rate rise.

Victoria and Tasmania have introduced free public transport to address the fuel crisis but regional Victorians say trains are already overcrowded.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's pushing Iran to open the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping route, threatening to obliterate Iran's energy hub Kharg (HAHG) Island if it doesn't do so.

Mr Trump says great progress has been made in peace negotiations, but Iranian officials maintain they're not in direct negotations with the US, and won't be pressured into reopening the Strait.

More details are emerging of the dramatic final moments before police shot dead fugitive Dezi Freeman

Freeman was on the run for seven months after killing two police officers in Victoria last year.

Police had a three hour stand-off with the fugitive before shooting him in the state's north yesterday...and say they first used every tactic possible to end things peacefully.

They say they considered bringing in Freeman's wife, but it wasn't feasible.

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