2015-11-25
The Australian Greens are disappointed the government-dominated Senate committee into the Greens’ bill for mandatory vehicle emissions standards has opposed the bill.
Minister Hunt announced in his National Press Club speech today that the government would set national vehicle emissions standards from 2020.
"The government is stuck in the slow lane on fuel efficiency, ” Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and climate change spokesperson, said.
“All big parties agree that we need to act on fuel efficiency – it’s the cheapest way to reduce our climate pollution and will save motorists money.
"So let’s get on and do it, instead of waiting around for another five years like the government is proposing.
“Australian cars already guzzle more fuel than other developed nations, and we are at risk of becoming a dumping ground for the world’s dirtiest cars.
“Without any fuel efficiency standards, we’re way behind Europe, the USA, China, India and Japan.
“It doesn’t make sense to keep delaying mandatory vehicle emissions standards, which are good for our climate, health and family budgets,” Senator Waters said.
Read the government-dominated Senate committee report on the Greens’ fuel efficiency bill, which recommends opposing it here.
Read the Greens’ dissenting report about why the bill should be supported here.