Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce has slammed Labor’s proposal to place a carbon tax on SUVs, utes and 4WDs.
Mr Boyce said Labor is
threatening to add thousands of dollars to the cost of buying a new family car
under its proposed Vehicle Efficiency Standard.
“Under the proposed new
standard, Labor will place penalties on new petrol and diesel vehicles over a
certain emissions limit to subsidise EVs and make them relatively more
affordable,” Mr Boyce said.
“The proposed Vehicle
Efficiency Standard will add thousands of dollars to the cars that Australians
love to drive including SUVs, utes and 4WDs.
“Energy Minister Chris Bowen
says the new Vehicle Efficiency Standard will result in lower running costs for
new cars but not if you can’t afford to buy one.
“Labor’s policy will hit
families who rely on SUVs to get their kids to school as well as tradies and
farmers who rely on utes to do their job.
“Mr Bowen cites the Mazda CX-30
model in the United Kingdom but it turns out it is not as fuel efficient as he
made out and is $19,000 dearer than in Australia.
“The Leader of the Coalition,
Peter Dutton is correct. If you’re a tradie and you’re buying vehicles such as
a BT-50 or a D-Max or a HiLux or a Ranger, the Albanese Government’s family car
tax is going to drive up the cost of purchasing that vehicle.
“Motor vehicle dealerships
across Australia employ about 60,000 people and Australians take seriously
their purchase of a car.
“The Flynn electorate is
different to other metropolitan areas. We drive longer distances, and we use
our cars for work and recreation.
“If the Vehicle Efficiency
Standard goes ahead on its current planned trajectory, some manufacturers are
likely to withdraw from the Australian market.
“In New Zealand, a similar tax
drove up the cost of a car by about $7,000 NZD.
“People want to be able to
afford a new vehicle, particularly at this time of Labor’s fast rising cost of
living pressures.
“Once again, we see a Labor
Government that is out of touch.”
