Dutton vows to axe clean car tax, save WA buyers thousands
Peter Dutton is promising West Australians would save thousands under a Coalition government, pledging to scrap Labor’s “unfair” tax on family cars and utes in a bid to enhance his appeal out west.
It comes as the Opposition Leader prepares to address WA voters at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters forum on Friday morning, having vowed to “make WA boom”.
Boosting his cost-of-living war chest, Mr Dutton is set to unveil his plan to scrap Labor’s “unfair” car tax, making Australia’s most popular family cars and utes cheaper.
That would be done by abolishing Labor’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which sets annual emissions targets for vehicles and becomes more stringent over time.
He claims under the Labor proposal, the price of Aussie best sellers like the Toyota RAV4 could see up to $9700 in added costs and up to $14400 for a Ford Ranger. Those figures have been disputed.
“This is a tax on families who need a reliable car and small businesses trying to grow. Instead of making life easier, Labor is making it harder and more expensive,” Mr Dutton said.
“A Coalition Government will scrap this tax, so Australians can keep more of their hard-earned money when purchasing a new car.”
“We want cleaner, cheaper cars on Australian roads as we head towards net zero by 2050, but forcing unfair penalties on car makers and consumers is not the answer.
The policy pairs with the Coalition’s fuel excise plan, which would cut 25 cents a litre for 12 months — Mr Dutton’s headlining campaign pledge.
Shadow Minister for transport Bridget McKenzie said the Coalition supported cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles, but said focusing only on electric vehicles ignored what families needed.
“Labor’s policy punishes Australian families and businesses who either don’t want or cannot afford to buy an EV,” she said.
“By making petrol and diesel SUVs and utes more expensive, Labor will force families to keep older, less efficient and less safe vehicles on the road for longer.
“A Coalition Government will work with industry, not against them, to bring to market the cleanest, most fuel-efficient models of the cars Australians need and want to drive—without punishing consumers with unfair costs.”
In May last year, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said his Government had “done what the Coalition tried and failed to do” in a bid to boost the clean car market.
“It marks an end to the decade of delay and denial which put Australian motorists at the back of the global queue for cars that are cheaper and cleaner to run,” he said.
“This is not just a win for the environment, it’s a big win for motorists around the country who want access to a bigger variety of more efficient vehicles.
“The impact of this shift will benefit Australians for decades.”