Government

Manufacturers that build cars in Britain are yet to commit to lower Australian prices, despite the announcement of a new Free Trade Agreement "immediately eliminating" an existing 5 per cent automotive import tariff. Affected British-built cars include Nissan's Juke, Leaf, and Qashqai small SUVs, and the majority of vehicles built by Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Aston Martin, McLaren, Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Electric vehicles purchased in the Australian Capital Territory are now eligible to receive two years of free registration. Both new and used electric vehicles are entitled to the offer, so long as the purchase is made between 24 May 2021 and mid-2024. It also covers vehicles that have been converted to electric power. Electric vehicles registered in the ACT are currently already exempt from stamp duty.

The Federal Government has pledged to prop up Australia's last two oil refineries – after two of the remaining four announced their closures in the past six months. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced today a $2 billion support package for the local oil industry, which would be required to maintain sufficient reserves of petrol and diesel for our national security.

The latest study from the Australian Institute reveals the majority of Australians support electric-vehicle (EV) policies. This includes a government subsidy on the purchase of new EVs along with a ban on the sale of new fossil-fuelled cars by 2035. Key results from the survey reveal two in three Australians – or 62 per cent – agree with the government subsidies for the purchase of EVs.

The Victorian Government has announced it will hand over parts of VicRoads operations to private companies, in an effort to rebuild the department's antiquated computer systems. The government says the plan will deliver better customer service for Victorian road users, but has refused to rule out cost increases. "We’re going to put in place a joint-venture partnership with the private sector to ensure that we get a modernised, adaptable service," Treasurer Tim Pallas told a media briefing.