Greens denounce Big Oil and auto industry

The party of radical environmental politicking, the Greens, has issued a press release demanding the federal government stick to its guns and not 'cave' to pressure from the car industry against a proposed 'carbon tax' on cars.

Reports in the mainstream media yesterday prompted a backlash from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). And now two Greens pollies, Senator Janet Rice (pictured) and climate change and energy spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, are presenting the case for the defence.

"Stronger vehicle efficiency standards would be a win for consumers and a win for the environment. The only losers will be the big oil companies," Senator Rice was quoted as saying in the press release.

"If Australia were to implement what’s in the Government’s discussion paper, we could save 65 megatonnes of carbon emissions by 2030, which is as good for the climate as if we took every car off the road for a whole year.

"And according to Government modelling, consumers could make up in fuel savings what they pay in extra costs within only four years, with annual fuel savings of $519 per year for the average driver.

"Australia is lagging behind places like the USA, China and the European Union on these standards. We risk becoming a major dumping ground for poorly performing variants of car models due to our lack of regulation.

"Malcolm Turnbull and Josh Frydenberg shouldn’t cave to the big auto makers and the fossil fuel lobby."

Taking no prisoners, Adam Bandt piled on, targeting Energy Minister Frydenberg for a particular mauling.

"If Josh Frydenberg is now taking his cues from Elvis, it's time for a little less conversation and a little more action," said the MP.

"Every time someone proposes a credible pollution reduction policy, Josh Frydenberg rules it out 24 hours later.

"Last week we found out pollution is rising. Our emissions are ballooning and if the government keeps killing off policies that will reduce emissions, they won’t get close to meeting even their own paltry emissions targets.

"Pollution from the transport sector makes up a significant part of Australia’s total emissions profile. To meet our obligations under the Paris agreement, stronger vehicle emissions standards are needed."

The carbon tax proposal submitted to government by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (DIRD) would see car companies penalised for fleet CO2 emissions exceeding 105g/km. The legislation would take effect from 2022. To put the proposal in perspective, the 105g/km threshold figure is five grams less than the current combined tailpipe figure for the Suzuki Swift GL (pictured) – a 1.2-litre light hatch with continuously variable transmission.

Pictures courtesy of Suzuki and the Victorian Greens/Wikimedia