Federal election: Independents in Warringah and Mackellar want all new cars electric by 2035

Independents running in Warringah and Mackellar are pushing for financial incentives so all new cars will be electric by 2035.

A push to encourage more motorists to buy electric cars through government cash and tax incentives is a key part of the climate policies of independent federal election candidates on the northern beaches.

Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Sophie Scamps, who is running in Mackellar on May 21, will also lobby the major political parties for more spending on electric vehicle infrastructure to help slash carbon emissions.

The pair joined another so-called “teal” independent, Kylea Tink, a candidate for North Sydney, on Thursday for the combined launch of their climate change agendas.

The independent candidate for Mackellar at the 2022 federal election, Sophie Scamps (right), with Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall, at the launch of their climate change policies at McMahon's Point on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

Ms Steggall also took the opportunity to officially launch her electric-powered campaign bus.

Dr Scamps, who is taking on sitting Mackellar Liberal MP Jason Falinski, said locals told her that climate change was their “number one issue”.

If elected she will lobby the incoming government to match the NSW Government’s $3000 cash incentive for people to buy an EV.

She would also push for at least 25,000 of those rebates to go to small businesses and tradies to buy electric utes, trucks and vans.

Dr Scamps said fast-tracking the installation of more charging stations would also be a priority.

Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall, with her new electric campaign bus at the launch of her climate change policies at McMahons Point. Picture: Supplied

Ms Steggall said she would negotiate for tax rebates as well as reforms of the fringe benefits tax and the luxury car tax to further cut the price of EVs.

The independents also want, by 2030, a minimum of 76 per cent of new cars sold to be electric and all new vehicle sales being electric by 2035.

“Owning an electric vehicle should not be a privilege or a luxury,” Dr Scamps said. “EVs should be affordable for all Australian families and small businesses, including tradies.

“The bottom line is that by incentivising the sale of EVs and investing in charging infrastructure we can reduce cost of living pressures facing Australians, reduce pollution and emissions, and help speed up the transition of our economy to a net zero future.”

Zali Steggall, the independent MP for Warringah, will reintroduce her Climate Bill if re-elected on May 21. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Ms Steggall, who introduced a Climate Change Bill in 2020 and, if re-elected, will reintroduce the Bill, said the current federal government was “taking Australia on a road trip to nowhere on climate action”.

“While various state governments are providing some incentives to buy electric, the Morrison Government has no significant policy to drive the uptake of electric vehicles, and no real plan to deal with car emissions,” Steggall said.

Mr Falinski said the proposal by Dr Scamps and Ms Steggall would have negative consequences “because it is embedded in the tax system and just creates more complexity and more loopholes.

“The only people who win out of this are tax accountants and tax lawyers,” he said.

“If they actually want to put the finger on the scales of EV’s subsidies, they should make it as a cash payment like NSW, not embed more dubious policy into the tax system.

“They are mucking around with fringe benefits tax, and they no idea what impact that is going to have.”

Mr Falinski said the current waiting time for a new EV was 12 months.

“(The proposals) would just be pouring fuel on the fire of that supply chain issue.

Liberal MP for Mackellar, Jason Falinski, said the independents were “all about slogans and cliches and not actual policy development”. (AAP Image / Adam Yip)

“What we need to be doing is building the infrastructure, so, when people buy these vehicles they have a way to recharge them.

“This again shows, they are all about slogans and cliches and not actual policy development. They’re focused on distorting our tax system so they can afford a luxury car.

“It makes no sense.”

Included in Dr Scamps’ policy was a call for a legislated net zero emissions target for 2050 and a 2030 emissions reduction target of 50 per cent; a parliamentary inquiry into the impacts of climate change on health and; more money towards an emergency services plan to prepare and respond to climate-induced natural disasters.