Queensland axes its 2026 EV-only government fleet mandate
Queensland has killed off the previous Labor state government's mandate to replace all eligible government passenger cars with zero-emissions vehicles by December 2026.
In its place, the state's Liberal National Party (LNP) government has released a new strategy that sets a smaller 10 per cent emissions reduction target across the entire public service fleet by 2030, rather than focusing on replacing individual vehicles with EVs.
The Sunshine State's public works, housing and youth minister Sam O'Connor said the Queensland Government's broader approach to cutting vehicle emissions across its entire fleet would have a bigger impact on total CO2 emissions and give public servants more freedom to purchase the type of QFleet vehicles they need.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
In a press release late last week, Mr O'Connor said Labor's EV-only policy for eligible passenger vehicles only covered around 3600 vehicles across government, yet QFleet operates more than 11,000 vehicles as part of frontline services including nursing, housing, child safety and youth justice.
The Queensland Government said the updated policy, which allows for fit-for-purpose vehicles whether they are all-electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid, will reduce emissions to their lowest ever levels while the public service fleet experiences unprecedented growth.
It says the new approach will also provide more time for agencies to install charging infrastructure while still delivering on a 10 per cent tailpipe emissions reduction target by 2030, which Mr O'Connor said will equate to 3.33 kilotonnes of CO2.
"This represents around 63 per cent reduction in emissions from what QFleet's emissions were in 2005," he said.
"We're not here to tick boxes – we're here to focus on outcomes.
"We've laid out a genuine pathway to reduce tailpipe emissions and better support the hardworking public servants who rely on QFleet to get them to where they need to be."
As part of the Queensland government's new QFleet Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy 2025-2030, there will be annual fleet reviews, improved journey planning and the use of lower-emissions E10 fuels, and each agency will be held accountable for reducing their emissions.
"Our new strategy moves beyond simply mandating one type of vehicle for procurement," said Mr O'Connor.
"At the same time as our emissions will be decreasing, our fleet will see annual growth of around 1.5 per cent per year – equating to around 9 per cent growth over the period of the 10 per cent reduction in emissions.
"That means while our fleet will be larger than ever, our emissions will be lower than ever.
"Unlike the previous mandate, we're reducing QFleet's tailpipe emissions in a practical, sustainable way, which responds to feedback from public servants across Queensland.
"QFleet is leading by example to help Queensland achieve net zero."
The Queensland Government's move was swiftly welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which has been vocal in its criticism of EV mandates and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in particular.
Echoing claims by Toyota that multiple powertrain electrification technologies – led by hybrids in its case – have a larger overall impact on total new-vehicle CO2 reduction than EVs, FCAI chief executive Tony Weber described the 2025-2030 QFleet emissions reduction plan as "a balanced and realistic approach to decarbonising the state's transport fleet".
"The Queensland Government has recognised that the best pathway for emissions reduction is to utilise a range of vehicle technologies rather than focusing solely on battery electric vehicles," Mr Weber said.
"Since the introduction of the Commonwealth Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard earlier this year, we have more information and evidence regarding the challenges of shifting to a lower-emission fleet of vehicles on Australian roads.
"Right now, Australian consumers remain hesitant to the change even though more than 90 battery-electric vehicles are available.
"The Queensland Government has listened to its QFleet customers and recognised that it can provide more choice while still delivering meaningful emissions reductions.
"It reflects the real-world challenges of vehicle deployment and provides more time for development of the infrastructure needed to underpin long-term change."
Queensland's previous Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan 2022-2024 was just one part of the Zero Emission Vehicle strategy 2022-2032 announced by the former Labor state government in March 2022.
As part of its "commitment to support Queensland's shift to zero net emissions by 2050", the state's 10-year emissions reduction strategy also called for 50 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales in the state to be zero-emissions by 2030, before moving to 100 per cent by 2036.
It also called for every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet to be a zero-emissions vehicle in South East Queensland by 2025, and across regional Queensland by 2030.
The Queensland LNP has repeatedly distanced itself from the previous Labor government's ambitious climate policies since it came to power in October 2024.
Soon after he became premier, David Crisafulli announced the state would support the federal government's 2050 net zero emissions plan but would reject set renewables targets by dropping requirements for milestones along the way.
The LNP also axed an "unviable" multi-billion-dollar pumped hydro project planned for Mackay, and cancelled the $1 billion Moonlight Wind Farm project, while opening more opportunities for gas and coal development in the northern state.
Queensland's rollback of public service EV mandates comes after US President Donald Trump in January removed his predecessor's mandate for half of all new-vehicle purchases to be EVs by 2030.
And just last week President Trump signed congressional resolutions overturning California's ability to mandate EV sales and establish its emissions standards via a federal waiver, immediately halting the state's 2035 ban on new combustion-powered vehicle sales.
In addition, California will be unable to enforce an increase in zero-emission heavy-duty truck sales, or a low-nitrogen oxide regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles.
However, 17 other states accounting for 30 per cent of the US auto market have also adopted some or all of California's stricter vehicle emissions standards, and many of them are joining the legal appeal flagged last month by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Apart from Queensland, several other Australian states also effectively have EV 'road maps', with the nation's largest two by population – New South Wales and Victoria – both aiming for zero-emissions vehicles to account for at least 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales in each state by 2030.
Australians bought a record 91,292 new EVs in 2024, accounting for 7.4 per cent of the 1.237 million new vehicles sold in this country last year.
MORE: Toyota says its hybrids have saved nine million EVs worth of CO2MORE: Q&A with FCAI chief Tony WeberMORE: The fastest charging EVs in Australia
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Queensland has killed off the previous Labor state government's mandate to replace all eligible government passenger cars with zero-emissions vehicles by December 2026.
In its place, the state's Liberal National Party (LNP) government has released a new strategy that sets a smaller 10 per cent emissions reduction target across the entire public service fleet by 2030, rather than focusing on replacing individual vehicles with EVs.
The Sunshine State's public works, housing and youth minister Sam O'Connor said the Queensland Government's broader approach to cutting vehicle emissions across its entire fleet would have a bigger impact on total CO2 emissions and give public servants more freedom to purchase the type of QFleet vehicles they need.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
In a press release late last week, Mr O'Connor said Labor's EV-only policy for eligible passenger vehicles only covered around 3600 vehicles across government, yet QFleet operates more than 11,000 vehicles as part of frontline services including nursing, housing, child safety and youth justice.
The Queensland Government said the updated policy, which allows for fit-for-purpose vehicles whether they are all-electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid, will reduce emissions to their lowest ever levels while the public service fleet experiences unprecedented growth.
It says the new approach will also provide more time for agencies to install charging infrastructure while still delivering on a 10 per cent tailpipe emissions reduction target by 2030, which Mr O'Connor said will equate to 3.33 kilotonnes of CO2.
"This represents around 63 per cent reduction in emissions from what QFleet's emissions were in 2005," he said.
"We're not here to tick boxes – we're here to focus on outcomes.
"We've laid out a genuine pathway to reduce tailpipe emissions and better support the hardworking public servants who rely on QFleet to get them to where they need to be."
As part of the Queensland government's new QFleet Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy 2025-2030, there will be annual fleet reviews, improved journey planning and the use of lower-emissions E10 fuels, and each agency will be held accountable for reducing their emissions.
"Our new strategy moves beyond simply mandating one type of vehicle for procurement," said Mr O'Connor.
"At the same time as our emissions will be decreasing, our fleet will see annual growth of around 1.5 per cent per year – equating to around 9 per cent growth over the period of the 10 per cent reduction in emissions.
"That means while our fleet will be larger than ever, our emissions will be lower than ever.
"Unlike the previous mandate, we're reducing QFleet's tailpipe emissions in a practical, sustainable way, which responds to feedback from public servants across Queensland.
"QFleet is leading by example to help Queensland achieve net zero."
The Queensland Government's move was swiftly welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which has been vocal in its criticism of EV mandates and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in particular.
Echoing claims by Toyota that multiple powertrain electrification technologies – led by hybrids in its case – have a larger overall impact on total new-vehicle CO2 reduction than EVs, FCAI chief executive Tony Weber described the 2025-2030 QFleet emissions reduction plan as "a balanced and realistic approach to decarbonising the state's transport fleet".
"The Queensland Government has recognised that the best pathway for emissions reduction is to utilise a range of vehicle technologies rather than focusing solely on battery electric vehicles," Mr Weber said.
"Since the introduction of the Commonwealth Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard earlier this year, we have more information and evidence regarding the challenges of shifting to a lower-emission fleet of vehicles on Australian roads.
"Right now, Australian consumers remain hesitant to the change even though more than 90 battery-electric vehicles are available.
"The Queensland Government has listened to its QFleet customers and recognised that it can provide more choice while still delivering meaningful emissions reductions.
"It reflects the real-world challenges of vehicle deployment and provides more time for development of the infrastructure needed to underpin long-term change."
Queensland's previous Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan 2022-2024 was just one part of the Zero Emission Vehicle strategy 2022-2032 announced by the former Labor state government in March 2022.
As part of its "commitment to support Queensland's shift to zero net emissions by 2050", the state's 10-year emissions reduction strategy also called for 50 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales in the state to be zero-emissions by 2030, before moving to 100 per cent by 2036.
It also called for every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet to be a zero-emissions vehicle in South East Queensland by 2025, and across regional Queensland by 2030.
The Queensland LNP has repeatedly distanced itself from the previous Labor government's ambitious climate policies since it came to power in October 2024.
Soon after he became premier, David Crisafulli announced the state would support the federal government's 2050 net zero emissions plan but would reject set renewables targets by dropping requirements for milestones along the way.
The LNP also axed an "unviable" multi-billion-dollar pumped hydro project planned for Mackay, and cancelled the $1 billion Moonlight Wind Farm project, while opening more opportunities for gas and coal development in the northern state.
Queensland's rollback of public service EV mandates comes after US President Donald Trump in January removed his predecessor's mandate for half of all new-vehicle purchases to be EVs by 2030.
And just last week President Trump signed congressional resolutions overturning California's ability to mandate EV sales and establish its emissions standards via a federal waiver, immediately halting the state's 2035 ban on new combustion-powered vehicle sales.
In addition, California will be unable to enforce an increase in zero-emission heavy-duty truck sales, or a low-nitrogen oxide regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles.
However, 17 other states accounting for 30 per cent of the US auto market have also adopted some or all of California's stricter vehicle emissions standards, and many of them are joining the legal appeal flagged last month by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Apart from Queensland, several other Australian states also effectively have EV 'road maps', with the nation's largest two by population – New South Wales and Victoria – both aiming for zero-emissions vehicles to account for at least 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales in each state by 2030.
Australians bought a record 91,292 new EVs in 2024, accounting for 7.4 per cent of the 1.237 million new vehicles sold in this country last year.
MORE: Toyota says its hybrids have saved nine million EVs worth of CO2MORE: Q&A with FCAI chief Tony WeberMORE: The fastest charging EVs in Australia
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Queensland has killed off the previous Labor state government's mandate to replace all eligible government passenger cars with zero-emissions vehicles by December 2026.
In its place, the state's Liberal National Party (LNP) government has released a new strategy that sets a smaller 10 per cent emissions reduction target across the entire public service fleet by 2030, rather than focusing on replacing individual vehicles with EVs.
The Sunshine State's public works, housing and youth minister Sam O'Connor said the Queensland Government's broader approach to cutting vehicle emissions across its entire fleet would have a bigger impact on total CO2 emissions and give public servants more freedom to purchase the type of QFleet vehicles they need.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
In a press release late last week, Mr O'Connor said Labor's EV-only policy for eligible passenger vehicles only covered around 3600 vehicles across government, yet QFleet operates more than 11,000 vehicles as part of frontline services including nursing, housing, child safety and youth justice.
The Queensland Government said the updated policy, which allows for fit-for-purpose vehicles whether they are all-electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid, will reduce emissions to their lowest ever levels while the public service fleet experiences unprecedented growth.
It says the new approach will also provide more time for agencies to install charging infrastructure while still delivering on a 10 per cent tailpipe emissions reduction target by 2030, which Mr O'Connor said will equate to 3.33 kilotonnes of CO2.
"This represents around 63 per cent reduction in emissions from what QFleet's emissions were in 2005," he said.
"We're not here to tick boxes – we're here to focus on outcomes.
"We've laid out a genuine pathway to reduce tailpipe emissions and better support the hardworking public servants who rely on QFleet to get them to where they need to be."
As part of the Queensland government's new QFleet Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy 2025-2030, there will be annual fleet reviews, improved journey planning and the use of lower-emissions E10 fuels, and each agency will be held accountable for reducing their emissions.
"Our new strategy moves beyond simply mandating one type of vehicle for procurement," said Mr O'Connor.
"At the same time as our emissions will be decreasing, our fleet will see annual growth of around 1.5 per cent per year – equating to around 9 per cent growth over the period of the 10 per cent reduction in emissions.
"That means while our fleet will be larger than ever, our emissions will be lower than ever.
"Unlike the previous mandate, we're reducing QFleet's tailpipe emissions in a practical, sustainable way, which responds to feedback from public servants across Queensland.
"QFleet is leading by example to help Queensland achieve net zero."
The Queensland Government's move was swiftly welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which has been vocal in its criticism of EV mandates and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in particular.
Echoing claims by Toyota that multiple powertrain electrification technologies – led by hybrids in its case – have a larger overall impact on total new-vehicle CO2 reduction than EVs, FCAI chief executive Tony Weber described the 2025-2030 QFleet emissions reduction plan as "a balanced and realistic approach to decarbonising the state's transport fleet".
"The Queensland Government has recognised that the best pathway for emissions reduction is to utilise a range of vehicle technologies rather than focusing solely on battery electric vehicles," Mr Weber said.
"Since the introduction of the Commonwealth Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard earlier this year, we have more information and evidence regarding the challenges of shifting to a lower-emission fleet of vehicles on Australian roads.
"Right now, Australian consumers remain hesitant to the change even though more than 90 battery-electric vehicles are available.
"The Queensland Government has listened to its QFleet customers and recognised that it can provide more choice while still delivering meaningful emissions reductions.
"It reflects the real-world challenges of vehicle deployment and provides more time for development of the infrastructure needed to underpin long-term change."
Queensland's previous Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan 2022-2024 was just one part of the Zero Emission Vehicle strategy 2022-2032 announced by the former Labor state government in March 2022.
As part of its "commitment to support Queensland's shift to zero net emissions by 2050", the state's 10-year emissions reduction strategy also called for 50 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales in the state to be zero-emissions by 2030, before moving to 100 per cent by 2036.
It also called for every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet to be a zero-emissions vehicle in South East Queensland by 2025, and across regional Queensland by 2030.
The Queensland LNP has repeatedly distanced itself from the previous Labor government's ambitious climate policies since it came to power in October 2024.
Soon after he became premier, David Crisafulli announced the state would support the federal government's 2050 net zero emissions plan but would reject set renewables targets by dropping requirements for milestones along the way.
The LNP also axed an "unviable" multi-billion-dollar pumped hydro project planned for Mackay, and cancelled the $1 billion Moonlight Wind Farm project, while opening more opportunities for gas and coal development in the northern state.
Queensland's rollback of public service EV mandates comes after US President Donald Trump in January removed his predecessor's mandate for half of all new-vehicle purchases to be EVs by 2030.
And just last week President Trump signed congressional resolutions overturning California's ability to mandate EV sales and establish its emissions standards via a federal waiver, immediately halting the state's 2035 ban on new combustion-powered vehicle sales.
In addition, California will be unable to enforce an increase in zero-emission heavy-duty truck sales, or a low-nitrogen oxide regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles.
However, 17 other states accounting for 30 per cent of the US auto market have also adopted some or all of California's stricter vehicle emissions standards, and many of them are joining the legal appeal flagged last month by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Apart from Queensland, several other Australian states also effectively have EV 'road maps', with the nation's largest two by population – New South Wales and Victoria – both aiming for zero-emissions vehicles to account for at least 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales in each state by 2030.
Australians bought a record 91,292 new EVs in 2024, accounting for 7.4 per cent of the 1.237 million new vehicles sold in this country last year.
MORE: Toyota says its hybrids have saved nine million EVs worth of CO2MORE: Q&A with FCAI chief Tony WeberMORE: The fastest charging EVs in Australia
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Queensland has killed off the previous Labor state government's mandate to replace all eligible government passenger cars with zero-emissions vehicles by December 2026.
In its place, the state's Liberal National Party (LNP) government has released a new strategy that sets a smaller 10 per cent emissions reduction target across the entire public service fleet by 2030, rather than focusing on replacing individual vehicles with EVs.
The Sunshine State's public works, housing and youth minister Sam O'Connor said the Queensland Government's broader approach to cutting vehicle emissions across its entire fleet would have a bigger impact on total CO2 emissions and give public servants more freedom to purchase the type of QFleet vehicles they need.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
In a press release late last week, Mr O'Connor said Labor's EV-only policy for eligible passenger vehicles only covered around 3600 vehicles across government, yet QFleet operates more than 11,000 vehicles as part of frontline services including nursing, housing, child safety and youth justice.
The Queensland Government said the updated policy, which allows for fit-for-purpose vehicles whether they are all-electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid, will reduce emissions to their lowest ever levels while the public service fleet experiences unprecedented growth.
It says the new approach will also provide more time for agencies to install charging infrastructure while still delivering on a 10 per cent tailpipe emissions reduction target by 2030, which Mr O'Connor said will equate to 3.33 kilotonnes of CO2.
"This represents around 63 per cent reduction in emissions from what QFleet's emissions were in 2005," he said.
"We're not here to tick boxes – we're here to focus on outcomes.
"We've laid out a genuine pathway to reduce tailpipe emissions and better support the hardworking public servants who rely on QFleet to get them to where they need to be."
As part of the Queensland government's new QFleet Vehicle Emissions Reduction Strategy 2025-2030, there will be annual fleet reviews, improved journey planning and the use of lower-emissions E10 fuels, and each agency will be held accountable for reducing their emissions.
"Our new strategy moves beyond simply mandating one type of vehicle for procurement," said Mr O'Connor.
"At the same time as our emissions will be decreasing, our fleet will see annual growth of around 1.5 per cent per year – equating to around 9 per cent growth over the period of the 10 per cent reduction in emissions.
"That means while our fleet will be larger than ever, our emissions will be lower than ever.
"Unlike the previous mandate, we're reducing QFleet's tailpipe emissions in a practical, sustainable way, which responds to feedback from public servants across Queensland.
"QFleet is leading by example to help Queensland achieve net zero."
The Queensland Government's move was swiftly welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which has been vocal in its criticism of EV mandates and the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) in particular.
Echoing claims by Toyota that multiple powertrain electrification technologies – led by hybrids in its case – have a larger overall impact on total new-vehicle CO2 reduction than EVs, FCAI chief executive Tony Weber described the 2025-2030 QFleet emissions reduction plan as "a balanced and realistic approach to decarbonising the state's transport fleet".
"The Queensland Government has recognised that the best pathway for emissions reduction is to utilise a range of vehicle technologies rather than focusing solely on battery electric vehicles," Mr Weber said.
"Since the introduction of the Commonwealth Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard earlier this year, we have more information and evidence regarding the challenges of shifting to a lower-emission fleet of vehicles on Australian roads.
"Right now, Australian consumers remain hesitant to the change even though more than 90 battery-electric vehicles are available.
"The Queensland Government has listened to its QFleet customers and recognised that it can provide more choice while still delivering meaningful emissions reductions.
"It reflects the real-world challenges of vehicle deployment and provides more time for development of the infrastructure needed to underpin long-term change."
Queensland's previous Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan 2022-2024 was just one part of the Zero Emission Vehicle strategy 2022-2032 announced by the former Labor state government in March 2022.
As part of its "commitment to support Queensland's shift to zero net emissions by 2050", the state's 10-year emissions reduction strategy also called for 50 per cent of new passenger vehicle sales in the state to be zero-emissions by 2030, before moving to 100 per cent by 2036.
It also called for every new TransLink-funded bus added to the fleet to be a zero-emissions vehicle in South East Queensland by 2025, and across regional Queensland by 2030.
The Queensland LNP has repeatedly distanced itself from the previous Labor government's ambitious climate policies since it came to power in October 2024.
Soon after he became premier, David Crisafulli announced the state would support the federal government's 2050 net zero emissions plan but would reject set renewables targets by dropping requirements for milestones along the way.
The LNP also axed an "unviable" multi-billion-dollar pumped hydro project planned for Mackay, and cancelled the $1 billion Moonlight Wind Farm project, while opening more opportunities for gas and coal development in the northern state.
Queensland's rollback of public service EV mandates comes after US President Donald Trump in January removed his predecessor's mandate for half of all new-vehicle purchases to be EVs by 2030.
And just last week President Trump signed congressional resolutions overturning California's ability to mandate EV sales and establish its emissions standards via a federal waiver, immediately halting the state's 2035 ban on new combustion-powered vehicle sales.
In addition, California will be unable to enforce an increase in zero-emission heavy-duty truck sales, or a low-nitrogen oxide regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles.
However, 17 other states accounting for 30 per cent of the US auto market have also adopted some or all of California's stricter vehicle emissions standards, and many of them are joining the legal appeal flagged last month by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Apart from Queensland, several other Australian states also effectively have EV 'road maps', with the nation's largest two by population – New South Wales and Victoria – both aiming for zero-emissions vehicles to account for at least 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales in each state by 2030.
Australians bought a record 91,292 new EVs in 2024, accounting for 7.4 per cent of the 1.237 million new vehicles sold in this country last year.
MORE: Toyota says its hybrids have saved nine million EVs worth of CO2MORE: Q&A with FCAI chief Tony WeberMORE: The fastest charging EVs in Australia
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Energy Minister calls for private sector to help Australia's renewables shift
Energy Minister Chris Bowen will pledge on Wednesday to cut tendering and approvals times for power projects as he calls on the private sector to help fund the national renewable roll-out. In his first major speech since Labor was reelected on May 3, Mr Bowen will tell the Australian Energy Week in Melbourne on Wednesday that Government alone can't deliver the energy transition. 'Government is not enough. We need the private sector and the community engaged, investing, thinking, innovating, risking and employing,' he will say, according to a draft version of the speech seen by The West Australian. The address will outline Labor's energy agenda next term, including plans to fast track the tender process of the Capacity Investment Scheme. The Government has so far underwritten about $17 billion of private investment into renewable and storage projects through the scheme, Mr Bowen will say. In Western Australia, that included Neoen's Muchea Big Battery. 'We will reduce the time taken to finalise tender outcomes to around six months from the current nine months by moving to a one stage tender process rather than two stages, as is the case now,' Mr Bowen will say. 'The sector still faces social license challenges, workforce constraints, and approval times. 'Together with the states and the industry, we are working to alleviate these constraints.' The Government will review the power price benchmark — called the default market offer — used to protect consumers in the east coast market. 'The DMO was intended to act as a benchmark price to stop the worst forms of price gouging, while leaving the job of putting downward pressure on prices to competition between energy companies,' Mr Bowen was expected to say. 'However, I'll be frank. I don't think it's working that way and reform is needed.' Mr Bowen was also expected to use the speech to back Australia's net zero targets and hit back both at climate deniers and critics that the Government was acting too slowly. 'Their denial of our momentum and ready willingness to seize on a day's headline and ignore the years of progress, can be just as disheartening and dangerous to the cause,' he will say. 'Commentating is easy. Sitting in the stalls like Statler and Waldorf in the Muppet show criticising others is not hard.' Mr Bowen will say Australia progressing its renewable agenda is needed to 'restore' its deteriorated 'climate reputation', especially amid it's bid to host the COP31 climate change conference in November 2026. He says Australia is making a 'serious and strong' bid for COP31 in a partnership with Pacific nations. Noting clean energy projects have exceed $3 trillion globally, Mr Bowen hinted that Australia could be considering lifting its investment, saying 'we want to grow this, and Australia's share in it'. Mr Bowen has already announced a wide-ranging review of Australia's energy framework this term, saying in Perth last month he's prepared to have 'tough conversations' with gas companies. The review is expected to be held from July 1 to investigate how market bodies can ensure greater gas access for Australians.
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Cancelled Trump-Albanese meeting should not be ‘politicised'
Former Labor councillor Linda Scott discusses the cancelled meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump, urging for it not to be 'politicised'. 'Let's not politicise foreign affairs,' Ms Scott told Sky News host Paul Murray. 'Let's not undermine the Australian government's efforts, whoever they are, to get a good deal for Australians.'
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Treasurer opens door to tax debate, saying everything is on the table at productivity roundtable
Jim Chalmers will throw open the door to a wider debate on potential tax changes at the government's economic reform summit in August as the treasurer hangs a lantern on Labor's "obligation to work out what comes next". Seeking a fresh political approach to making policy changes — amid growing questions about what the government plans to do with its thumping May 3 electoral mandate — Mr Chalmers will urge people to feel emboldened about proposing new tax reform ideas. "I expect, I anticipate, I welcome tax being an important part of the conversation," Mr Chalmers told reporters on Tuesday, ahead of an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday during which he will flesh out the government's planned "productivity roundtable". The treasurer said it "would be hard" to address the government's stated goals of making the economy more productive, returning the federal budget to a sustainable footing, and boosting economic resilience "without people raising their ideas when it comes to tax". Business groups have welcomed the roundtable opportunity, but expressed some scepticism with a belief that last term's "jobs and skills summit" became dominated by unions. It is not yet clear whether the opposition has been invited. Mr Chalmers will warn that while the government took "meaningful action" last term on structural pressures in the budget, such as in the NDIS and aged care, the job was not finished, and pressures on the budget were intensifying rather than easing. The government has a wide range of potential tax reforms open to it, having not ruled out changes on personal tax, company tax, or in areas such as electric vehicle taxes, where Labor has already indicated it will do more policy work. Participants to the roundtable, which will take place in the cabinet room in the second half of August, will be free to raise whatever ideas and concerns they have and will not be subject to non-disclosure agreements, the ABC understands. The roundtable is expected to be a number of sessions focused around the three priorities of productivity, budget "sustainability" and economic resilience, with each session including a small number of attendees. Mr Chalmers will tell the press club that people should not assume that "extreme volatility" around the world is temporary, and that it "reflects deeper currents". "So much of the democratic world is vulnerable because governments are not always meeting the aspirations of working people," he will say. "We have a responsibility here and an obligation. "A responsibility to rebuild confidence in liberal democratic politics and economic institutions — by lifting living standards for working people in particular "And an obligation to future generations to deliver a better standard of living than we enjoy today." After a first term dominated by inflation shocks, which led to a leap in interest rates and a squeeze on living standards, Mr Chalmers is pushing to make the government's second term about productivity reform. The press club speech follows a similar address by the prime minister last week, in which he announced the planned productivity gathering, due to include unions, businesses and interest groups. Mr Chalmers will say that the government aims to deliver on its housing and energy election promises but that these are "not the limits of our ambitions". "They're a foundation not a definition. "We have a mandate to deliver the policies and plans we took to the election, and a duty to build on them. "And the best way to work out what's next is together."
