Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today is a good day because the nation's first-ever fuel efficiency standard legislation has passed the House of Representatives. When it comes to advanced economies, only Australia and Russia don't have these standards. Labor is doing what no government has done in 30 years. We are doing it because we want all Australians to have access the best and most fuel-efficient vehicles. This standard will not ban any vehicles but it will ensure that our utes, SUVs and sedans are more fuel efficient. It will also ensure that Aussies have more access to more affordable electric vehicles. Forecasts show that every motorist could save up to $1,000 a year on fuel.

It comes as no surprise to anyone that every one of the Liberals and Nationals voted against this reform. They voted against our energy price caps and rebates in 2022, they ridiculed this week's $300 universal energy relief, they block and vote against our investments in new housing, they called our fairer cost-of-living tax Marxism and now they want Australians to spend more on fuel.

Labor has a real plan for cost-of-living relief, and the Liberals, well, they just oppose them all. Labor wants to reduce emissions and the Liberals are fine for them to get worse. There is only one side of politics ready to make the right decisions for Australia whereas the Liberals, all they want to do is say no.

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