In the media
Driving shift to cleaner, more affordable transport for all
MEMBER FOR NORTH SYDNEY, KYLEA TINK, INTRODUCING PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL FOR STRONGER FUEL QUALITY AND VEHICLE EMISSIONS STANDARDS
Independent Federal Member for North Sydney, Kylea Tink, is calling for Australian petrol to move in line with European standards and will today introduce a Private Members Bill to amend fuel quality standards so Australia can move to more stringent emissions standards.
With over 20 million Australian motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, these cars are running on some of the dirtiest petrol in the world. Noxious emissions from these vehicles are leading to poorer health outcomes across Australia and increased emissions in our atmosphere.
Ms Tink, who committed to introducing this Private Members Bill during her election campaign, believes bringing in fuel quality and vehicle emissions standards is one of the quickest ways to make real change and see benefits in the short term.
“It's clear our petrol is making us sick, with an estimated 620 Australians dying in 2015 because of transport-related air pollution.
“North Sydney is home to one of the most polluted stretches of road in the country. Internal combustion engines produce noxious emissions, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, and this is affecting our community.
“Even with a rapid transition to electric vehicles, the reality is that millions of internal combustion petrol engines will be driving on our roads for decades to come. These engines need to be as clean and cost effective as they can we for our community and motorists.
“There are clear and immediate benefits if we bring in fuel quality and vehicle emissions standards. Not only will we reduce transport emissions, motorists will save money on fuel, we’ll reduce our reliance on imported foreign oil, and we’ll see improved health outcomes.
“The Minister for Climate Change and Energy indicated to me during Question Time last week that his Department is considering the proposal. It's now time to put the pedal to the floor because change is long overdue,” said Ms Tink.
If passed, Ms Tink’s Private Members Bill will come into effect immediately for diesel and 1 July 20224 for petrol. The Bill calls for:
Stronger fuel quality standards so Australian vehicles can run on petrol which has higher emissions standards to ensure all vehicles currently on the road will immediately emit fewer harmful pollutants, use less petrol (and therefore reduce the percentage of household expenditure currently invested in car operating costs);
- Requiring new light vehicles to meet Euro 6d vehicle pollution standards;
- A lock-step mechanism with the world’s best standards to ensure Australia remains internationally competitive and does not get left behind again when the world starts moving to Euro 7 standards in 2025.
The Bill will send a clear signal to car manufacturers to immediately import more efficient internal combustion vehicles rather than sending their dirtiest cars to Australia.
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"I continue to believe that the two major parties do not represent the best of us as a nation," Kylea says. "I believe all of us Australians have a responsibility to turn up and work together to try and make sure that the country that we leave for our kids is better than the country that we were born into."
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Kylea Tink MP, Independent Federal Member for North Sydney, has responded to today’s decision by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) confirming the electorate of North Sydney is to be abolished.
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“Our country’s 2035 emissions target must be in line with global efforts to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of keeping warming below two degrees Celsius," Kylea says. “Anything less than an ambitious, legislated 2035 target would not only be detrimental to our economy, the cost of living and our environment, but would ultimately be a slap in the face to future generations.”
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