Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This global oil shock has exposed our fuel vulnerabilities. If we are to become a more energy-resilient nation, then we need, as much as possible, to decouple ourselves from Middle Eastern oil. Australia is the highest user of diesel among developed countries. We use 7.7 barrels per person. This compares to the US, at 4.2 barrels, and Canada, at 5.2. We spend around $60 billion a year on diesel, which incidentally is about the same amount of money we earn from mining taxes and royalties. It's extraordinary.

As a diesel-dependent economy, we rely on trucks to keep Australia moving, but those trucks parked on the side of the road are a wake-up call. As we now pull every lever in the book to keep this country moving, we need to look to the future. Australians are familiar with electric vehicles, but they associate EVs with cars—light passenger vehicles. They're not as familiar with electric trucks, but electric trucks are not science fiction anymore. In fact, this week an electric prime mover, an electric truck, rolled into Canberra and parked on the lawns of parliament. It came from Sydney to Canberra on a $50 charge, and it did it in 25 minutes less time. Why? It is because EVs do not lose speed as they go uphill. They are also quieter, save around 70 per cent to 80 per cent on fuel costs and are healthier for drivers. Drivers report that there is less vibration, and they are quieter to drive. They also like the fact that they are not exposed to diesel particulate matter, which is not good for their health.

The Albanese Labor government has been quietly backing in electric trucks for some years now. We have helped Toll and Linfox purchase 54 electric trucks, and we've put $25 million into three electric truck charging stations in Victoria. We know we need to do more, but the future is at hand. We need to electrify heavy transport.