[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE - SENATOR CHRISTINE MILNE - GREENS CHALLENGE MPs TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE ON FUEL EFFICIENCY

[Willis, Katrina (Sen C. Milne)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday, 12 August 2006

Greens challenge MPs to lead by example on fuel efficiency

Vehicle fuel efficiency is the elephant in the room which the Howard
government refuses to see in addressing rising fuel prices and oil
depletion, Australian Greens energy spokesperson Christine Milne said
today.

"It is reprehensible that the Howard government still offers gas
guzzlers to parliamentarians as part of their entitlements. The
government should lead by example," Senator Milne said in Hobart.

"The lack of vision demonstrated by the Howard government is costing
Australia dearly.

"Its failure to implement mandatory fuel efficiency standards has meant
that Australian car manufacturers are producing such fuel inefficient
vehicles that they are uncompetitive with overseas imports.

"The Australian motor vehicle industry benefits from a $7 billion
federal government assistance package, which will continue until 2015.
Industry assistance should be tied to mandatory vehicle fuel efficiency
standards so that there is an Australian market for
Australian-manufactured cars.

"As a first step, the government should remove from its list of vehicles
available for parliamentarians' private-plated vehicle entitlement the
least fuel efficient vehicles. These vehicles are immediately available
whereas senators and members who want hybrid fuel cars must wait for
approval.

"With accelerating oil depletion and rapidly rising fuel prices,
parliamentarians should not have to make a special case to get
fuel-efficient hybrid cars."

The four Greens senators have taken a lead with Senators Brown and Milne
driving 100 per cent LPG models and Senators Nettle and Siewert using
hybrid vehicles.

The government must also immediately remove the preferential tariff
treatment of off-road vehicles used for recreation. Passenger vehicle
imports attract a 10 per cent tariff while fuel-consuming SUVs pay just
5 per cent, Senator Milne said.

Contact: Katrina Willis 03 6234 4566 or 0437 587 562


Katrina Willis
Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone 03 6234 4566
Fax 03 6234 2144
Mobile 0437 587 562
www.christinemilne.org.au