Fuel prices, fuel sovereignty & EV – House of Representatives | Ross Vasta MP

 I rise today to speak on the strong action the Morrison government has taken and is taking to reduce emissions whilst growing our economy. At Glasgow, the Prime Minister outlined our plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and we’re doing this with technology, not taxes, and choices, not mandates. That’s the Australian way. To reach net zero, we are considering the future of our technologies. We recognise the role future technology breakthroughs will play in closing the gap, with new and emerging technologies to reduce emissions by a further 15 per cent by 2050.

And we’re delivering a balanced approach to achieve this through our commitment to securing our fuel sovereignty. I’m seeing firsthand the benefits of our government’s commitment to affordable reliable energy in my electorate of Bonner. We’ve locked in Australia’s sovereign refining capability with our fuel security package supporting the Ampol refinery in Lytton, in Bonner, and Victoria’s Viva Energy refinery in Geelong, backing more local jobs for more local families.

Fuel is critical across our economy and the Morrison government is acting in a practical, responsible way to reduce emissions while preserving Australian jobs and taking advantage of our new opportunities for industries. We’re considering the livelihoods of our truckies, our tradies, our farmers, our commuters, our miners and, of course, everybody who travels in Australia. We are also protecting families and businesses from higher fuel prices, ensuring they can keep more of what they earn. In fact, we will be keeping fuel prices amongst the lowest in the OECD.

Locking in Australia’s fuel security will deliver benefits for all Australians. Traditional fuels will continue to be the dominant fuel source for transport beyond 2030. We cannot be complacent about fuel security because of this, and this package will lock in these refineries until 2027. It is critical for our farmers, our emergency services, our truckies and our industries, who rely upon diesel to keep Australia moving. Diesel consumption has increased over the last five years.

Of all major transport fuels, it is the most important for all Australians as it underpins our economy and critical services. If it wasn’t for our government’s commitment to fuel sovereignty, it is likely Australia’s remaining refineries would have closed within the next five years. Between these two refineries, this would mean losing 1,200 direct jobs and forfeiting 1,750 new construction jobs. The fallout would have had devastating impacts on jobs in all fuel-dependent industries and our local economy.

Earlier this year, I was extremely pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, to Bonner for the announcement of this package. On a local level, this package equated to 550 direct local jobs. The flow-on effect of this certainty in the local community could not be underestimated.

When I joined the Prime Minister and Minister Taylor on a tour of the refinery, we walked past a worker holding up a handwritten sign which read, ‘Thank you for supporting our refinery.’ I was beyond humbled to read this, because this is exactly what we do. We support real people, people with families, people with passion for their work. These are people with incredible skills, and we absolutely must harness and ensure that our sovereignty stays here with us.

This package will also complement our Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy, which will empower consumers to drive the car that they want. This will be done by enabling the right environment, rolling out infrastructure and making the grid EV ready through priority reforms. It’s backed by a $250 million Future Fuels Fund focused on public EV charging, commercial fleets, household smart-charging and heavy and long-distance vehicle technologies. It also forms part of the more than $2.1 billion our government has committed to support the uptake of future fuels and vehicles.

Labor’s 2019 policy would have forced Australians to purchase an EV regardless of whether it was right for them, by setting a target that 50 per cent of new car sales had to be EVs by 2030. But our government won’t be telling Australians what car they must drive or increase the cost for those who can least afford it through taxes, bans or standards. We know this will just drive up the cost of Australian family vehicles, so we’re taking action to strengthen our economy and back our industries, and reduce emissions while we are at it.

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5 MINUTE: Wynnum Fringe Festival 2021

Fantastic, jaw dropping, heart-warming, and iconic– all words to describe the return of this year’s Wynnum Fringe Festival in my electorate of Bonner.

Deputy Speaker, I rise today to celebrate this festival and its showcase of the arts over six jam packed days last week.

In the weeks leading up to it, there was an incredible buzz in our community.

Every corner of the Bayside was transformed with pop up stages, bars, eateries, and countless local businesses who offered their space to be used as performance venues.

Everyone got involved, whether it be as a volunteer, patron, local business owner or a performer.

It was a true demonstration of our community spirit; we all embraced this festival and made it a celebration of the Bayside.

Deputy Speaker, I must take this opportunity to acknowledge festival founder Tom Oliver who has outdone himself this year.

A passion for the local arts scene that is one in a million.

The Bayside is tremendously lucky to have Tom and I speak on behalf of the community in that his vision for this year’s festival didn’t just go as far as benefitting the arts, but also local businesses,

community groups and our economy.

Tom is putting the Bayside on the map.

Deputy Speaker, we all love the arts – it brings us joy, has a powerful way of bringing communities together and inspires the next generation of talent.

The Morrison Government is committed to this sector and secured the return of Wynnum Fringe as an annual event by delivering $236,000 in funding.

It’s been another challenging year for our arts and creative sectors, but we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

And events just like this give us great excitement as we enjoy the simple things we have really missed.

I was privilege to attend the festival’s opening ceremony alongside Tom Oliver, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner as well as the community.

What a turn out it was Deputy Speaker!

As part of the special ceremony, the Quandamooka Elders presented ‘Yana Marumba’ which means walk good.

We started at the shores of Moreton Bay and walked up to the festival hub on Bay Terrace where we finished the night with a free street party.

People of all ages came together for this ceremony, united by our love of the arts.

I also want to take this opportunity to recognise the over 300 artists, performers and musicians who took over the Bayside, entertaining locals and visitors alike.

There was sell out show after sell out show Deputy Speaker, which just speaks volumes to the level of talent we were so honoured to have in town.

We couldn’t have been more excited to welcome them to the Bayside.

The countdown to next year is on!

 

 

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3 MINUTE: Tax relief for small businesses

Deputy Speaker, I rise today to recognise the small businesses at the heart of our communities.

And to acknowledge the support the Morrison Government has delivered to keep them afloat during this time.

New economic data from ATO and Treasury analysis released this week shows small businesses have received $5 billion worth of tax relief this year and next.

That’s $5 billion back into the pockets of these businesses, seeing the creation of 600,000 new jobs.

We’ve also provided Australian workers; whether they be a teacher or a nurse – who are on $60,000 a year, a total of $6,480 in tax relief.

Australians are better off thanks to our Government.

I’ve welcomed the comments from small businesses in my electorate of Bonner who couldn’t be more thankful for the support we have provided.

Deputy Speaker, Michael Sunderland is the Sales Manager at Karalis Real Estate in Mount Gravatt.

Being a small office with only 3 full-time staff, things were at their lowest when the pandemic hit.

Karalis Real Estate were eligible for our wage subsidy scheme, which in Michael’s words, was a lifesaver for his business.

As time progressed, it was no longer needed.

Now, they’re focused on expansion, growing their team of 3 full-timers to 8 employees by next March.

And in the Bayside suburb of Wynnum is Fluer by Ellie, a local florist which opened during covid.

Owner Ellie believes wholeheartedly our tax relief measures have had widespread benefits in the area.

Given the noticeably increased foot traffic and return in consumer confidence, Ellie has been able to expand her floristry business with the added addition of a new café.

Creating more jobs and more opportunities for locals to go local first.

There’s also The Jungle Adventure Play in Cannon Hill; every local kid’s favourite place to be.

Including my two boys!

Owner Lachlan Walker opened this business during the June/July school holidays last year.

To get on their feet during this time, The Jungle took advantage of our government’s instant asset write-off.

In anticipation of Brisbane’s hot summers, they installed aircon units which has improved the space for children who are busy running around and climbing the equipment.

Lachlan mentioned The Jungle also has 10 staff taking part in our Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program.

They are now able to upskill and train casual apprentices to become part time or full-time employees.

Deputy Speaker, this is just a snapshot of how our government’s measures have positively impacted countless businesses and employees in Bonner.

And with Christmas right around the corner, it’s the most important time of the year to be purchasing gifts locally and supporting our mum and dad small businesses.

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