Comcars changed from white to grey because they reflect ‘our colonial past’

Comcars have been changed from white to dark grey. Picture: Kym Smith

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has confirmed he personally intervened to change the colour of the new fleet of taxpayer-funded (not Holden) Comcars from traditional white to dark grey.

The revelation came during the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann. Picture: Kym Smith

“My Comcar driver told me the other day that the colour of the cars was chosen by you personally. Is that a true rumour that’s circulating?” Greens senator Janet Rice asked Cormann late on Tuesday.

“I take responsibility for that yes,” Cormann replied.

The minister continued: “I think that ... that the white colour, in my mind, reflects a bit of a colonial past that we’ve moved on from and I think the colour chosen for the Comcars is a better reflection of a modern, forward-looking Australia.”

Rice laughed and added: “My driver was complaining that it’s very hard to keep them looking clean.”

Mathias Cormann reveals that he personally intervened to chose the colour of the new fleet of Comcar vehicles, which will shift from their traditional white to dark grey. #Estimates pic.twitter.com/PqsJCQFOBC

— Michael Mazengarb (@MichaelM_ACT) March 3, 2020

Senator Cormann announced in December that the government’s ageing Comcar fleet of Holden Caprice sedans would be replaced with a fleet of new vehicles.

The new fleet would comprise a mix of Toyota Camry Hybrid sedans and BMW 6 series GT sedans.

Comcar is the Commonwealth’s provider of car-with-driver services to a wide range of clients, including the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, the federal judiciary and heads of commonwealth agencies.

Comcar also provides transport for visiting guests of government and at large international events, such as APEC, G20 and the Commonwealth Games.