Question Time: Electric Vehicle Transition Strategy
Ms BURNET question to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE CHANGE, Mr BARNETT
[10.29 a.m.]
Thank you, honourable Speaker. High fuel prices are becoming an entrenched costofliving reality. This comes precisely at a time when your government is making no progress electrifying its own fleet, the electric bus rollout has stalled and you're not providing any incentive for Tasmanians to get out of fossilfuelburning cars and into EVs. Tasmania is the only state with no strategy document for vehicle electrification. Other states have set targets for EV sales, waived registration and stamp duty, provided ongoing support to expand fastcharging networks, and worked to raise consumer awareness of the switch to EVs. Minister, surely you can see the benefit of helping Tasmanians to cut their costofliving expenses and their emissions at the same time. Will you commit to developing a strategy to map out Tasmania's electric vehicle transition?
ANSWER
I thank the honourable member for her question and her special interest in this. I'm very happy for ongoing engagement, as we've already had in terms of climate change, and we've released the government's response to the Climate Change Act review. I'm pleased and proud of that because of those seven recommendations, five inprinciple supported, and two in full. We'll progressively implement that now going forward, and we're into practical measures. You've made reference specifically to improving climate change outcomes in Tasmania, particularly with regard to the transport sector. That's one of seven areas that we're particularly focusing on with the resilience and reduction program and that's well underway. As I say, transport's a key part of that. I want to indicate through you, Speaker, that I'd be more than happy to have ongoing engagement with the honourable member in that regard. You're aware that in terms of the Tasmanian car fleet, that's a matter for the Treasurer.
In terms of my role as the Climate Change minister, obviously we're into practical measures and direct action wherever possible, making a difference. You would be aware that since the Middle East crisis and conflict earlier this year, fuel prices have increased substantially, obviously up and down, but very substantially, and as a result people have moved to electric cars or hybrid vehicles to help save on fuel costs. That's very understandable and that's happening in Tasmania, as it is across jurisdictions throughout Australia. You would notice the very significant increase and take-up of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. We're looking at that carefully. There has been a significant increase in Tasmania. I haven't got the latest numbers, but I'm more than happy to talk to you about that and follow up with you and further engage on these important matters.
Supplementary Question
Ms BURNET - I thank the minister for that answer. We know that fuel prices have increased and there's been an uptake of EVs, but it's not from your incentives. Tasmania is the only jurisdiction without a purchase price incentive, a subsidy rebate, or loan scheme. Can you clarify that your government is prepared not to do anything to disrupt Tasmania's heavy reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports, nor to improve incentives to access EVs for more Tasmanians to reduce -
The SPEAKER - The honourable member's time has expired.
Mr BARNETT - Thanks very much, Speaker. First of all, as I've indicated, the transport sector is a key part of our action going forward. We've released our action plan in that regard. I can indicate that I am advised it's around 21 per cent of Tasmania's total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding the land use change and forestry sector. The government is committed to reducing emissions from the transport sector. We already have the Transport Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plan that I made mention of, which goes through to 2029. There is funding, including $1.4 million for transport programs that will reduce emissions, support the transition to a lowemissions economy and build resilience in the sector. Actions in the plan include support for small businesses to purchase battery electric vehicle vans and cargo ebikes, and funding to further expand Tasmania's public electric vehicle fastcharging network, which is very important. That's something that I'm looking at actively at the moment.