Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

As I indicated in my answer to your first supplementary question, this is an issue that is being considered as part of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy. It's also the case, more broadly, that lithium batteries are an increasing feature of our economy. It's not just electric vehicles where lithium batteries are used; they're used in a whole range of products. There are a range of things that we do need to do as a community to make sure that the technology is being used safely.

There is some work being undertaken to ensure that we've got appropriate arrangements to make sure that if there are incidents of any kind relating to lithium batteries that our first responders are well equipped to deal with it. There are standards being developed through the Building Codes Board. There are a range of things that need to occur to make sure that this technology can be safely and appropriately integrated into the Australian economy.