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

My question as to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering cheaper-to-run, low-emissions cars for Australians, and what was standing in the way?

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I haven't called the minister yet, so there will be no interjections. I give the call to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Bennelong for the question and for his advocacy for cleaner and cheaper-to-run cars, as well as for his significant advocacy for making sure we have electric charging infrastructure in his electorate for buses.

On 16 May this parliament legislated a new vehicle efficiency standard for Australia. This is a reform that has been two decades in the making. The member the Bradfield, when he was last minister, tried but couldn't get that through his party room. He tried to put it through, but it has taken this government to actually deliver what has been on the books for two decades. The passage of this bill will mean that Australians can start to benefit from more efficient cars, whether they are petrol vehicles, hybrid vehicles, diesel vehicles or electric vehicles.

With estimated fuel savings of $95 billion in 2050, this reform has caught us up with the rest of the world. The US has had a standard in place for over 50 years, and across the world 85 per cent of new cars are covered by a vehicle efficiency standard. Australians were not getting the choice of new vehicles they deserved, and—along with Russia—we stood as one of the only advanced economies without such a standard.

I particularly want to acknowledge Toyota, Hyundai, Tesla, the Motor Trades Association of Australia, the Australian Automotive Dealer Association and the Electric Vehicle Council for their positive engagement and supportive comments. On the passage of the bill, the FCAI said that they welcomed our standard and that they have 'always recognised the importance of a government mandated CO2 standard for Australia'. The Motor Trades Association welcomed our 'workable compromise with industry through good faith negotiations', while the Automotive Dealers Association welcomed our ambitious standard which will 'significantly lower vehicle emissions'.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Barker will cease interjecting.

Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What we know is that Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is ambitious and achievable. It's the right standard for Australia that will deliver Australians more choice, save Australians thousands at the bowser—particularly regional Australians, reduce emissions and ensure Australians can continue to buy the utes and the SUVs that they love.

I was asked in the question: what was standing in the way? I can tell you what was standing in the way. It was the relentless negativity of those opposite, who have no courage to actually do the reforms that are necessary to ensure this country has a future made in Australia, a future for regional Australians and that we can benefit from the significant transition that is occurring internationally. Those opposite never see a policy they can say yes to.