Canberra Liberals MLA Mark Parton, Shadow Minister for Transport, will move a motion in the Legislative Assembly today calling on the ACT Labor-Greens government to stop pursuing its anti-car, anti-family agenda.

Several recent policy announcements clearly indicate that the Labor-Greens government is pursuing an agenda that will impact those living in the outer suburbs, Mr Parton argued.

The ACT is the only jurisdiction in Australia with an end date for the registration of new internal combustion engine cars (2035).

The ACT government has signed up to the C40 Green and Healthy Streets initiative which includes petrol-powered car free zones by 2030 in significant sections of Canberra. Government members voted against an amendment calling on them to rule out the establishment of such zones. Advocacy for Inclusion, however, declared any such zones would discriminate against those who cannot afford to drive electric vehicles, particularly those with a disability who rely on cars and cannot afford to buy an electric vehicle.

The ACT Government is considering changing the car parking construction code to construct apartments without any provision for car parking.

The ACT government will conduct a car-free day in Canberra in September.

• ACT to phase out fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2035 (18 July 2022)
• Legislative Assembly debates: Health and property (12 May)

“These anti-car policies tend to have a high impact on families with children who often need a private car for multiple pick-up and drop-off points, as well as lower socio-economic Canberrans and those with a disability,” Mr Parton said.

“Many Canberrans, stakeholders, and advocacy groups have raised concerns about the impacts these policies will have, but once again the Labor-Greens government are not listening.

“It is astounding the government continues to push an anti-car agenda whilst at the same time being responsible for one of the worst performing public transport systems in the country.

“If you currently drive a car in Canberra, let it be known that Labor and the Greens want to get you out of the driver’s seat, no matter the consequences to the community.”