[Greens-Media] Ford crisis an opportunity to secure manufacturing & go electric: Bandt

[Lawson, Damien (A. Bandt, MP)]

Media Release

Adam Bandt MP
Deputy Leader, Australian Greens
Federal Member for Melbourne

Ford crisis an opportunity to secure manufacturing & go electric: Bandt

Greens Deputy Leader and industry and innovation spokesperson Adam Bandt says the car industry debacle should be treated as an opportunity by the government to change direction on industry assistance.

Mr Bandt says the old parties have squandered billions in industry assistance to the car industry without securing jobs and with very little substantive change in the vehicles produced.

“The old parties have spent billions in support to the auto industry without securing jobs and now Ford workers and their families are paying the price," said Mr Bandt.

“The government should have used its assistance to drive real innovation. A government that cares for people would protect jobs for the long-term.”

“We know the future for the car industry is electric vehicles, but Labor has done nothing to drive the shift to electric. We must also secure our manufacturing base as part of the transition to a clean economy.”

“By fast-tracking high speed rail and stepping up local content requirements, the government can secure manufacturing jobs. The government needs to use this crisis as an opportunity to change direction and secure manufacturing for south-east Australia.”

Greens Electric Car Industry Policy
•       The Greens will continue to support co-investment in the car industry assistance, but future automotive industry assistance must be conditional on the adoption of goals and milestones for electric vehicle development and manufacture;

•       Allocate at least $75 million in annual assistance earmarked for EVs to such a fund for the roll out of electric vehicle infrastructure in all capital cities;
•
Immediately place on the Council of Australian Government's agenda the development of a policy framework for EV including:

•       Implementation of consumer incentives for electric vehicle ownership including, registration rebates or cash-backs, tax credits as well as significant targets for government fleets;
•       putting in place a regulatory environment that supports electric vehicles such as regulation of deployment and the setting of competition and policy standards;
•       maximising energy opportunities through appropriate regulation, such as requiring "smart" charging sourced through renewable energy;
•       industry policy that develops the electric vehicle sector in Australia, such as battery manufacturer and servicing, engineering and manufacturing of vehicles or parts in Australia.

The Prime Minister and the government, like and US and Germany, should commit to a near term target for the take up of electric vehicles in Australia
Contact: Damien Lawson 0487 900 005

Damien Lawson

Strategy and Communications Adviser
Office of Adam Bandt MP
T: 03 9642 0922 M: 0487 900 005
www.adambandt.com