5th Dec 2017, 4:06 PM – Senate Motions - Taxation - Automotive Industry

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Senator Cory Bernardi, which means the motion failed. The motion related to tariffs on motor vehicles and luxury cars.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that 2 December 2017 marked one year since the South Australian Treasurer, the Honourable Tom Koutsantonis, MP, called for the abolition of tariffs "such as the luxury car tax" on imported motor vehicles, and also stating he would immediately take that cause to the Coalition of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra;

(b) agrees with the South Australian Treasurer's statement in his media release on that day that there is no longer an Australian automotive manufacturing industry to protect with these measures;

(c) observes that abolition of remaining tariffs on motor vehicles and the luxury car tax would, combined, save Australian car buyers $1 billion per annum; and

(d) calls upon the Government to announce its plans for these tariffs in the Mid-Year Budget Review, if not before.