JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
SENATOR THE HON BRIDGET MCKENZIE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LEADER OF THE NATIONALS IN THE SENATE
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
TED O’BRIEN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR FAIRFAX
GARTH HAMILTON MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GROOM
The price of Australians’ favourite SUVs, utes and 4WDs will be jacked up by thousands of dollars under Labor’s proposed carbon tax on vehicles.
Industry analysis of Labor’s family car tax predicts the cost of some popular models such as the Toyota Landcruiser could rise by as much as $25,000.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton said Labor’s newest tax will put too many cars out of reach of the average family budget.
“Right now people are feeling the pinch, we are in a cost-of-living crisis and this Labor Government wants to make things worse for people and small businesses by increasing the cost of vehicles with higher taxes,” Mr Hamilton said.
“Families, farmers and trades people in Groom rely on utes and 4WDs. Drive through Toowoomba, Highfields, Pittsworth, Goombungee, Westbrook, Oakey – go anywhere in Groom and you’ll see any number of Land cruisers, utes or other 4WD’s – people love them, and they need them in the regions,” Mr Hamilton said.
“I have spoken to a number of local dealers and they are concerned, if you’re a tradie and you’re buying a new HiLux, Ranger or D-Max this Albanese government is going to make it more expensive and it will cost you thousands of dollars more,” Mr Hamilton said.
Industry data has revealed Queensland’s three favourite vehicles in 2023 were the Toyota HiLux (15,635), Ford Ranger (12,715) and Isuzu D-Max (8,100) which will each incur a penalty of $14,490, 17,950 and $13,830 respectively under Labor’s proposed tax.
Labor’s family car and ute tax will threaten over 13,000 jobs and put $3.9 billion in economic activity at risk.
Shadow Minister for Transport, Senator Bridget McKenzie said Labor are ignoring reality by hanging on to its claim that the policy will result in lower running costs for new car.
“In New Zealand, we saw a similar tax drive up the cost of a car by about NZ$7,000. A punitive tax is not the right way to push people towards EVs that are still not affordable or practical for many Australians,” Senator McKenzie said.
“A cleaner and more efficient transport fleet is an important part of reducing emissions, but by Labor making new cars more expensive to buy, many Australians will keep their current car for longer, or choose a second-hand car, resulting in an older and less efficient national fleet.”
Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted O’Brien said Labor’s family car tax would punish everyday Australians for choosing to drive the cars they need and love.
“Australians are already suffering under Labor’s cost of living crisis and cannot handle yet another hit to the hip pocket, from this detached and reckless Labor government” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Coalition is willing to engage on emissions reduction measures but we do not support policies that fail to strike a balance between getting emissions down, minimising costs and maximising choice for all Australians.”
Learn more at: https://www.familycar.tax/
ENDS.
Media contacts:
McKenzie: Olympia Cover | 0407 876 497
O’Brien: Mitch Bland | 0401 257 064
Hamilton: Greta Dwan | 0414 211 908
