Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter ignored official warnings that the Government's car tax will make some vehicles with the poorest safety ratings considerably cheaper, National's Transport spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
Minutes from the NZTA Board meeting on August 23 reveal management asked Ministers to not apply the proposed 'feebate' for electric cars to one-star and two-star rated vehicles.
"As the Minister responsible for road safety, how can Julie Anne Genter propose a policy that would make it cheaper to buy vehicles that have such poor safety ratings?
"Her own officials warned her the Government's car tax is a bad idea, but those warnings appear to have gone in one ear and out the other.
"The Government sold its car tax to the public by claiming vehicles like the Suzuki Swift and Mazda 2 Demio would become cheaper, despite some models of these cars having either a one or two-star Used Car Safety Rating.
"It's hard to believe Julie Anne Genter didn't know these cars had poor safety ratings - the scores are there for all to see on the Government's own rightcar.govt.nz website.
"We shouldn't really be surprised at this given Julie Anne Genter has also dismissed Treasury's warnings that the car tax will not only force some car buyers to pay thousands more, but it will have a near-zero impact on emissions as well.
"National believes financial incentives, not penalties, are the best way to support this country's shift to electric vehicles. We will continue to oppose Labour's car tax."
The NZTA Board minutes can be found here
