Page 3316 - Week 11 - Thursday, 11 November 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
I am pleased to see that the ACT community is responding positively to these incentives. Since the free registration scheme came into effect on 24 May, the total number of zero emissions vehicle registrations has increased by at least 32 per cent, to more than 1,300 vehicles. The number of ZEVs registered in the ACT has increased by more than 80 per cent since last year. More new ZEVs were registered in the last three months than the total stock of ZEVs five years ago.
This demonstrates that Canberrans are embracing this technology and are serious about their commitment to our community’s target of net zero emissions by 2045. To support zero emission vehicles in Canberra, we are also looking at the infrastructure and charging stations that are required around our city.
In the 2020-21 budget we allocated $2.7 million to install 50 public charging stations across Canberra. Work is also currently underway to develop a public charging master plan to support a strategic rollout of charging infrastructure. This will inform the location of the 50 publicly accessible charging stations, as well as future locations for publicly accessible chargers.
In terms of next steps, the government recognises that partnerships with industry will be critical to ensuring that ZEV manufacturers see Canberra as an attractive market for their vehicles. Under the 2020 parliamentary and governing agreement, the government has committed to engage with the ZEV industry and adopt a target for new ZEV sales by 2030. The sales target will demonstrate our community’s commitment to establishing a sustainable ZEV industry within our borders. The ACT government is now working with the community and industry to establish a suite of new policy options to further facilitate the uptake of ZEVs in the ACT.
While the ACT is pursuing an ambitious climate agenda, Australia is clearly falling behind our global counterparts as the commonwealth continues to avoid cementing a national target for reaching net-zero emissions or establishing a clear national zero emissions vehicle policy. Only with national commitment, strong collaboration and participation across government, industry, research institutes and the community will we see the capacity to reduce emissions align with global climate goals.
The United Nations climate conference, COP26, has reminded us yet again of the need for urgent action and cooperation on climate change. Thankfully, the conference demonstrated growing consensus for enhanced ambition, while supporting adaptation and resilience for vulnerable communities. At the conference the federal government endorsed the Breakthrough Agenda, which aspires to zero emissions vehicles being “the new normal” by 2030. This will not happen without strong national policies, so I hope this agreement will serve as a catalyst to strengthen the federal government’s commitment to cutting transport emissions and supporting a rapid shift to zero emissions vehicles.
The ACT is proud to be the first state or territory in Australia to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity. But we will not be the last. This transition is inevitable and crucial if we are to address the challenge of global climate change. All states and territories are committed to net zero emissions. We are in the middle of an energy
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video