New fuel emissions standards could save Australian motorists more than $500 a year, according to the conservative Liberal-National government, but it has stalled on introducing those rules.
It has been consulting on fuel standards since 2015 but has not yet made a decision on the introduction of the standards.
The Australian Greens Party has warned the lack of regulation means Australia risks becoming a major dumping ground for poorly performing car models.
Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg released a consultation paper last December saying the draft proposals were “designed to keep Australia in line with international vehicle markets, and keep us enjoying some of the cleanest air in the world”.
He said they could help save the average car owner up to $519 a year as well as cutting Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
However, today he said the government had made no decisions and was still consulting.
The opposition Labor Party’s climate change spokesman Mark Butler criticised the government for not acting sooner.
“More than 80 per cent of the global car market is now covered by mandatory emission standards, including China and pretty much every developed country except Australia,” Mr Butler said.
“It is beyond understanding how the government could mishandle the implementation of a blueprint that simply reflects almost universal trends in the global car industry.”
The issue has flared because the Federal Infrastructure Department is circulating its latest proposal, which is to require manufacturers to cut the amount of carbon dioxide produced by cars.
Manufacturers that failed to meet the standards would face fines.
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper has labelled the proposal a “carbon tax”.
Mr Frydenberg called that story a beat up, saying “there is as much chance of a carbon tax on cars as Elvis making a comeback”.
However, speaking on morning television he could not say when the government would announce vehicle emissions standards.
“If Josh Frydenberg is now taking his cues from Elvis, it’s time for a little less conversation and a little more action,” Australian Greens’ energy spokesman Adam Bandt said.
“Every time someone proposes a credible pollution reduction policy, Josh Frydenberg rules it out 24 hours later.”
Australian Greens’ transport spokeswoman Janet Rice said if Australia implemented what was in the government’s discussion paper it could save 65 megatonnes of carbon emissions by 2030, which was as good for the climate as taking every car off the road for a year.
“According to government modelling, consumers could make up in fuel savings what they pay in extra costs within only four years, with annual fuel savings of $519 per year for the average driver,” Senator Rice said.
