General Debate

Electric Vehicles

House of Representatives · Monday 22 June 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on the effectiveness of government measures to increase electric vehicle adoption, with Labor members highlighting significant growth in sales and model availability. Opposition members argued that current policies penalise regional Australians and subsidise Chinese manufacturers, while an independent member called for sustained support and infrastructure investment. The motion acknowledged the success of recent reforms in making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible.

Outcome

The motion was agreed to without division.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Alison Byrnes (Cunningham) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Byrnes moved the motion, citing the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Act 2022 and the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard Act 2024 as decisive actions that increased electric vehicle sales from under 2 per cent to 27.5 per cent of new vehicles. Byrnes noted that the number of affordable models under $40,000 had grown from two to more than ten, allowing the government to refocus fringe benefits tax exemptions on vehicles under $75,000. Byrnes highlighted local initiatives in the Illawarra, including home battery installations and renewable-powered charging stations, as evidence of successful policy settings. Byrnes also pointed to local innovation in battery technology as part of a broader clean energy transition.

Opposition response

Ben Small (Forrest) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Small argued that the government was effectively taxing petrol and diesel drivers to subsidise Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. Small contended that upfront costs remained a significant barrier, with electric vehicles typically costing between $10,000 and $15,000 more than comparable petrol models. Small highlighted the lack of charging infrastructure in regional areas, noting that most fast chargers were concentrated in capital cities, leaving many towns without access within five kilometres. Small asserted that the fringe benefits tax exemption disproportionately benefited high-income earners, such as surgeons, over lower-income workers like nurses.

Tim Watts (Gellibrand) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Watts reported that Australia's emissions had fallen by 9.7 million tonnes in the past year, driven by renewable energy and cleaner vehicles. Watts highlighted the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which had assisted more than 400,000 households, and noted that electric vehicle sales in the electorate had grown by 2,482 per cent since 2022. Watts argued that the new vehicle efficiency standard had aligned Australia with global markets, ending a period where the country was treated as a dumping ground for older, less efficient cars.
Monique Ryan (Kooyong) (Independent) Ind mixed

Ryan supported the progress in electric vehicle uptake but expressed concern that the fringe benefits tax exemption would be scaled back from April 2027, potentially stalling market growth. Ryan called for the government to reconsider restrictions on provisional licence holders driving electric vehicles, citing safety regulations based on power-to-weight ratios. Ryan urged greater investment in public charging infrastructure and binding targets, while criticising the continued provision of fuel tax credits to fossil-fuel-intensive industries.
Tom French (Moore) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

French argued that the government's policies provided Australians with more choice and competition, rather than forcing specific vehicle types. French emphasised the practical benefits of using locally generated renewable energy for transport, reducing reliance on international fuel markets. French stated that the new vehicle efficiency standard ensured manufacturers brought efficient and affordable vehicles to the Australian market, addressing previous shortcomings.
Tom Venning (Grey) (Liberal Party) Liberal oppose

Venning argued that electric vehicles were not fit for purpose in regional and industrial settings due to range limitations and insufficient charging infrastructure. Venning claimed that the surge in electric vehicle sales was driven by a lack of confidence in the government's management of international crises and a drop in domestic Chinese sales. Venning raised concerns about national security, noting that Chinese manufacturers accounted for a significant share of the electric vehicle and home battery markets.

Opened by

Alison Byrnes (Cunningham) (Australian Labor Party)

ALP

Speeches

6 speeches, 4 other contributors

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About House of Representatives debates

The House of Representatives debates bills, motions and matters of public importance in its main chamber. Members from all parties can take part, and the responsible minister usually replies for the government. Summaries are in reported speech, not transcripts; always check the official record before quoting.