Albanese puffs up defence as Trump meeting looms
The Albanese government may bring forward defence spending to accelerate the delivery of new weapons and platforms as it attempts to satisfy the Trump administration's demands to increase the military budget.
The government's powerful national security committee of cabinet is due to sign off on a raft of key defence projects before the end of the year, including new warships, aircraft and missiles as well as facilities, that will cost billions of dollars.
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Sydney Morning Herald
44 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
End of tax breaks for hybrid vehicles drives row over future of EVs
Hybrid electric car sales spiked this year before plunging as tax breaks for the vehicle class ended, fuelling calls for the government to do more to boost clean vehicle sales amid concerns such incentives disproportionately benefit the wealthy. A fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption on sales of some hybrid electric vehicles ran out on March 31. The discount saved a buyer up to $30,000 on some vehicles when combined with a novated lease arrangement with their employer. In the month before the cut-off, 7904 hybrids were purchased under a leasing arrangement. But in April, the number of buyers sank to 4726, according to new figures from the Australian Finance Industry Association. Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles had almost doubled from 7556 vehicles in the last four months of 2024 to 13,698 in the first three months of this year. Electric vehicle makers and leasing companies have slammed the Albanese government's decision to end the tax break for certain types of hybrid vehicles. Traditional hybrids, which have a diesel or petrol engine as well as an electric motor that recharges as the car decelerates, were never eligible. But plug-in hybrid vehicles, with a petrol engine and battery that can be recharged at the socket, had been included in the scheme for the past two years. They were removed under a commitment to the Greens in return for the minor party's crucial support for legislation to establish Australia's fuel efficiency standards, that force car companies to reduce pollution across their range of vehicles sold in Australia. Australian Finance Industry Association chief executive Diane Tate called for plug-in hybrids to have FBT exemptions reinstated, arguing the vehicles are particularly popular with regional drivers, where lower population density makes it harder to access charging stations needed for electric vehicles on long drives. She also called for other measures to cut the cost of traditional hybrids.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
End of tax breaks for hybrid vehicles drives row over future of EVs
Hybrid electric car sales spiked this year before plunging as tax breaks for the vehicle class ended, fuelling calls for the government to do more to boost clean vehicle sales amid concerns such incentives disproportionately benefit the wealthy. A fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption on sales of some hybrid electric vehicles ran out on March 31. The discount saved a buyer up to $30,000 on some vehicles when combined with a novated lease arrangement with their employer. In the month before the cut-off, 7904 hybrids were purchased under a leasing arrangement. But in April, the number of buyers sank to 4726, according to new figures from the Australian Finance Industry Association. Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles had almost doubled from 7556 vehicles in the last four months of 2024 to 13,698 in the first three months of this year. Electric vehicle makers and leasing companies have slammed the Albanese government's decision to end the tax break for certain types of hybrid vehicles. Traditional hybrids, which have a diesel or petrol engine as well as an electric motor that recharges as the car decelerates, were never eligible. But plug-in hybrid vehicles, with a petrol engine and battery that can be recharged at the socket, had been included in the scheme for the past two years. They were removed under a commitment to the Greens in return for the minor party's crucial support for legislation to establish Australia's fuel efficiency standards, that force car companies to reduce pollution across their range of vehicles sold in Australia. Australian Finance Industry Association chief executive Diane Tate called for plug-in hybrids to have FBT exemptions reinstated, arguing the vehicles are particularly popular with regional drivers, where lower population density makes it harder to access charging stations needed for electric vehicles on long drives. She also called for other measures to cut the cost of traditional hybrids.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australians must not follow Trump's road to ruin
It would appear as through Parnell McGuinness (' JD Vance chastised Europeans on free speech. He wasn't wrong ', June 8) and similar-minded conservative commentators such as Sky News After Dark, are continuing on their ideologically driven warpaths oblivious to the voice of the Australian people as expressed in the May 3 election. While these media darlings of the right still want to rant and rave and feed each other's egos with negativity, doom and gloom, the great mass of Australians are getting on with life, comfortable with their government which is safe, stable, secure and focused on traditional Australian positive values of a fair go, kindness and friendliness. To become relevant again and play a meaningful role in modern Australia, the right-wing media needs to jettison these antagonistic Trump-like approaches which were clearly rejected by the Australian people. Warren Marks, Richmond (Tas) Parnell Palme McGuinness warns against the suppression of ideas, quoting the US vice president's controversial advice to the Munich Security Conference in February that 'governments must listen to and respect their citizens'. However, she, like JD Vance, can't resist cherry-picking just which ideas and citizen groups are worthy of respect. She uses the case of the phrase 'identified as' being currently questioned and 'no longer [deemed] acceptable' by some activists, as an example of 'groups trying to control public conversation'. But is this really a 'kind of slippery censorship', or just the progression of an idea so it more accurately conveys the lived experience of a group? Wasn't JD Vance's speech realistically more of an attempt to control? It's a shame Palme McGuinness sabotages her own argument, adopts the culture war cover, and portrays progressive ideas as threats. Everyone counts, Parnell. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown EVs not for me After 60 years of driving, I recently explored the hybrid option (' The sweet spot: How to get the most out of your super and the pension', June 8). I currently drive a diesel SUV, and being a self-funded retiree, I receive no government pension. I spend about $100 per fortnight on fuel. The hybrid currently comes with no spare wheel and no tow-bar, which I need to tow my boat. The changeover figure is $12,000 in the dealer's favour. The cost of a one-off tow-bar is an extra $2000, and a spare wheel costs a couple of hundred more. That equates to about six years' driving if I continue to use diesel. There is no government incentive for me to change. Free rego for all EV-driving retirees might sway me. I think I will stay with my diesel as I am not that green. David Sayers, Gwandalan Undeserved reward This just brings discredit to the whole honours system (' Politicians, scientists and costume designer feature in King's awards ', June 8). The highest honours go to those who have already achieved a higher role in society, often just for doing what that job requires. Isn't achieving that position (and the salary that goes with it) reward enough? Meanwhile, those who make a real sacrifice and give true service to others might receive a lower honour (when nominated), if any at all. In the case of the honour given to Scott Morrison, one hopes that it is primarily because most ex-PMs have historically received a similar award. Otherwise, it wouldn't seem to be merited. The citation says it's for 'his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his key role in the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal'. Doesn't that come with the job of being PM? His role in the pandemic overlooks the refusal to require those already wealthy to pay back JobKeeper payments for which they were ultimately found to be ineligible, the 'stroll-out' of vaccines, and the needless antagonism of China over the pandemic's origins (which damaged Australia's trade). And the value of the AUKUS deal remains questionable. And then there are the multiple ministries, robo-debt, claims to not hold a hose, and statements that women protesters were lucky not to be shot. I predict that this will prompt many other letters to the editor.
