Labor’s new Fuel Efficiency Standard will take away the freedom of choice for Mallee farmers, tradies and families when it comes to their family car or work ute, Member for Mallee Anne Webster says.

“The Albanese Labor Government is ignoring practical reality in favour of green ideology,” Dr Webster said.

“Mallee is more than 83,000 square kilometres alone. That is a lot of road to cover and people should be able to choose what vehicle they drive without the Government imposing city-centric policy focussed on electric vehicles and yet again ignoring the lived experience in regional Australia and for our food and fibre producers.

“Our liberal democracy depends on the principle of choice but Labor are being tricky and secretive about what this new scheme will mean.”

The automotive industry fears higher prices and less choice for popular SUVs and utes under the proposed vehicle pollution caps.

Popular models such as the Ford Everest and Ranger, Nissan’s Patrol and Pathfinder and the Mitsubishi Triton exceed the average standards according to the government’s Green Vehicle Guide.

Toyota’s Land Cruiser and Prado would also be above the average standard, as would most makes of its HiLux model.

“Car manufacturers will be forced to make the choice between selling less of their product or copping the penalties enforced by the Government,” Dr Webster said.

“Labor spins this measure as cost of living relief but that is another lie in the absence of realistic modelling.

“My colleagues and I will assess the detail of what is being proposed over the coming weeks, however we will not tolerate any measure which piles further pressure on family budgets.”