Opposition leader Peter Dutton has backflipped for the second time on policy this election campaign, saying the Coalition would indeed scrap the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles (EVs) just two days after reassuring voters the party would back the policy.
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Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said, “If the Coalition is indeed scrapping the FBT exemption, after the opposition leader just days ago indicated he didn’t have any proposals to change it, then we are extremely disappointed and confused by this backflip.
“The FBT exemption is incredibly popular among Australians living in the outer suburbs and helping many Australians across the country afford and manage the upfront cost of an EV – which we know is cheaper to run once you’re behind the wheel.
“If the Coalition wants to make cars cheaper, and driving cheaper during a cost of living crisis, it wouldn’t be removing this discount for Australians.”
The policy is designed to help more Australians afford the upfront cost of an EV.
A statement issued by the Coalition said scrapping the FBT exemption on novated leases would save upwards of $3 billion over the forward estimates and $23 billion over the medium term.
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It’s the second policy backflip from Dutton, who had previously said his government, if elected, would require all Commonwealth public sector workers to return to the office, before admitting the policy was “a mistake”.
