PM claims Coalition ‘doesn’t want people to have more fuel-efficient cars’ as critics say removal of fines from efficiency standards means no consequences for rule-breakers * Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaign * Polls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverage * Anywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guide * Listen to the first episode of our new narrative podcast series: Gina * Get our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcast Peter Dutton’s promise to axe fines for car companies in breach of vehicle efficiency standards is a “nonsensical” position from an opposition whose main campaign pitch is to lower fuel costs, Anthony Albanese has said. In its latest appeal to outer suburban motorists, the Coalition has pledged to abolish the “car and ute tax” that some carmakers say will drive up the price of popular vehicles. Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Continue reading...

The consequence of not good enough, as evidenced in the United States right now, is that you inevitably get much, much worse.