RACQ has welcomed the recent approval of the Federal Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) Bill 2024.
This legislative milestone aligns Australia with other developed nations in terms of vehicle safety and environmental standards.
The NVES aims to facilitate access to more cost-effective and fuel-efficient vehicles for Australians, including cars, utilities, and 4WDs.
RACQ, which welcomed the recent adjustments to the initially proposed NVES, highlighted the benefits of the NVES for motorists.
“We congratulate the Federal Government for their genuine consultation on this bill and for taking on board the views of stakeholders like RACQ,” said RACQ general manager advocacy Joshua Cooney. “We needed this reform to take greater account of the challenges facing the needs of regional Queenslanders and the Federal Government listened.
“Apart from Russia, Australia was the only advanced nation without a vehicle efficiency standard, and this will now incentivise manufacturers to send better and safer cars, utes, and 4WDs to this country and ensure they are competitively priced.”
The NVES requires car manufacturers to reduce emissions by selling more fuel-efficient and lower-emission vehicles to avoid penalties.
Cooney also stressed the importance of developing technology to extend electric vehicle capabilities in regional Queensland.
“It’s one thing to legislate emission targets, it’s another to enable cleaner utes and 4WDs that are fit for purpose in Queensland,” he said. “Any electrified transport strategy cannot leave behind regional Queenslanders or those on low incomes, so we need to ensure those who require heavier vehicles, like utes, are not penalised but supported in the push to decarbonise transport.”
RACQ has also welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment of $467 million for crucial upgrades on the Bruce Highway, a vital transport route in Queensland.
A ‘Budget for the Bruce’ is what our members, and all Queenslanders, want to hear and thankfully we expect to see this commitment to some extent in this year’s Federal Budget,” Cooney said. “The Bruce Highway is the backbone of Queensland’s economy and is a piece of nationally significant infrastructure. But there’s no denying it’s broken.”
Cooney indicated that the funding would expedite important projects, including Section D of the Cooroy to Curra upgrade, Cairns Southern Access Stage 3, Linkfield Road overpass, and planning for the Pine Rivers Bridge upgrade.
Focusing on the 2024-25 Federal Budget, RACQ cautiously welcomed the financial commitment to major transport projects while expressing concerns about the sustainability of funding models.
The insurer acknowledged the substantial budget allocation aimed at addressing cost overruns for Bruce Highway improvements. However, it remains concerned about the Federal Government’s shift from the traditional 80:20 funding ratio with states for new regional infrastructure projects, now at a 50:50 split.
