Transport operators win two-year exemption from the Gillard Government's new carbon tax
July 11, 2011
Transport providers have welcomed the Gillard Government’s decision to exempt the trucking industry from carbon tax until July 1, 2014.
In contrast, many off-road users of fuel, including the mining, rail and aviation industries, will be subject to carbon tax from July 1, 2012.
Australian Trucking Association (ATA) Chairman David Simon says the Government’s decision will give small transport businesses breathing space to increase their fuel efficiency and renegotiate contracts with their customers.
“In the lead up to today’s announcement, the ATA argued strongly that transport operators should be exempt from the carbon tax altogether,” he says.
“In a series of meetings, including with Minister Combet’s senior staff, we pointed out that 85 percent of transport providers have fewer than five employees, and a limited ability to pass on increases in their costs.
“We pointed out that the industry has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent per billion tonne kilometres since 1990, as well as massively reducing its other emissions. This has cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars.
“And we pointed out that business conditions for trucking operators were extremely tough.
“I would like to thank the Government for listening. The exemption will give trucking operators time to renegotiate long-term contracts with their customers and look at how to improve their fuel efficiency.”
Under today’s announcement, from July 1, 2014, the effective fuel tax paid by transport operators will increase 6.858 cents per litre, matching the planned 2014-15 carbon price of $25.40.
This is expected to cost the industry and its customers $510 million in 2014-15 alone.
The industry’s effective fuel tax will then vary every six months as Australia’s carbon price changes.
Simon says the Government will need to push ahead with fixing the road transport regulations and charges that prevent trucking operators from using the most efficient equipment.
“The ATA’s recent environmental report shows the industry’s ability to reduce its fuel consumption is restricted by government regulation, poorly thought out charges and a lack of research and development on energy-saving technology,” he says.
As well as the energy efficiency measures announced yesterday, Simon says the Government needs to:
- Make a strong effort through the national heavy vehicle regulator process to support the increased use of larger, safer trucks, which will deliver substantial fuel efficiency gains and increase safety
- Rebalance heavy vehicle registration charges so operators can afford to run these vehicles
- Support further research and standard changes to reduce aerodynamic drag and tyre resistance, which together account for 75-85 percent of the total engine power use in semi-trailers and B-doubles.