Motor Vehicles (Electric Vehicle Levy) Amendment Repeal Bill

Second Reading

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (12:44): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

I seek leave to insert the second reading speech and explanation of clauses into Hansard without my reading them.

Leave granted.

The Government introduces the Motor Vehicles (Electric Vehicle Levy) Amendment Repeal Bill 2022 in order to repeal the Motor Vehicles (Electric Vehicle Levy) Amendment Act 2021 and deliver on a key election policy to abolish the electric vehicle levy introduced by the previous government.

This government has acted immediately to introduce this Bill to repeal the levy in order to provide certainty for those looking to purchase an electric vehicle, and to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles by reducing the cost of owning and operating an electric vehicle.

A survey undertaken by the Australia Institute in 2021 showed that 7 in 10 South Australians would be less likely to purchase an electric vehicle if an electric vehicle levy were to be introduced.

This Bill will repeal the levy before any electric vehicles can be taxed for the kilometres they drive. We want to encourage South Australians to buy an electric vehicle and the levy will have the opposite effect.

Over the coming decade the price of electric vehicles is expected to fall, and electric vehicles will become increasingly common on our roads. This Bill will operate to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road resulting in reduced state greenhouse gas emissions from transport and an improvement in air quality.

I commend this Bill to members.

Explanation of Clauses

Part 1—Preliminary

1—Short title

This clause is formal.

Part 2—Repeal of Motor Vehicles (Electric Vehicle Levy) Amendment Act 2021

2—Repeal of Act

This clause repeals the Motor Vehicles (Electric Vehicle Levy) Amendment Act 2021.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. L.A. Curran.