Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 5 April 2001:

(1) Will he provide the Parliament with an analysis of the fuel consumption of the current Australian passenger and light vehicle fleet.

(2) Is it the case that the fuel consumption of Australia's passenger and light vehicle fleet is among the worst, if not the worst, in the OECD.

(3) Have these vehicles an overall energy efficiency of no more than 15 to 20%.

(4) Are the high prices that motorists pay for petrol compounded by the fact that their vehicles waste 80% or more of the energy contained in the fuel.

(5) Do these low efficiency vehicles produce significant volumes of carbon dioxide and other air pollutants because they burn such large quantities of fuel for such little mechanical output.

(6) What measures have the Government introduced to ensure that manufacturers significantly improve the energy efficiency of their vehicles.

(7) Is the current energy labelling program used on refrigerators and clothes dryers which the Government has decided to introduce for new cars, likely to see a significant improvement in the average energy efficiency of Australian made vehicles; if so, what is the Governments estimate of the likely improvement in vehicle fuel consumption and energy efficiency; if not, why not.

(8) As a result of the current requirement for the motor vehicle industry to improve fuel economy by 15% over business as usual improvements, what is the Governments estimate of energy efficiency improvement and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

(9) Will any reduction in emissions be swamped by the expected growth in the number of vehicles brought about by the Governments bias toward road transport over rail transport.

(10) Is the Minister aware of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles that was set up by the Clinton administration with the goal of increasing the fuel efficiency of the US passenger vehicle fleet to 80 miles per gallon for a medium sized car; if so, what measures has this Government taken to implement such a scheme in Australia.

(11) Could this kind of scheme significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector as well as provide fuel price relief Australian motorists.

Mr Anderson (Minister for Transport and Regional Services) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The motor vehicle industry reports annually against an agreed National Average Fuel Consumption (NAFC) target for new passenger cars. The NAFC target is included in an industry voluntary code of practice. The most recent (2000) target figure for NAFC was set at 8.2 litres/100km. The Government is working with the motor vehicle industry to set a NAFC target 15% below business as usual for 2010.

(2) It is difficult to compare the fuel consumption across different countries due to the different assessment methods used. As part of the process of global harmonisation across the motor vehicle industry, the Government is planning on introducing a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) to come into force in 2003 that will mandate a new fuel consumption testing procedure in line with international standards.

(3) Yes.

(4) The thermal efficiency of the internal combustion engine is the constraint within which all conventionally powered vehicles operate. However through the fuel consumption label and fuel consumption guide consumers are being educated that they can reduce the cost and environmental impact of road transport through the selection of more fuel efficient vehicles.

(5) The level of greenhouse emissions is directly related to the quantity of fuel consumed by a vehicle.

(6) The Government has introduced a range of initiatives, to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector as outlined in the Prime Minister's statement: Safeguarding the Future announced in 1997 and Measures for a Better Environment in 1999. Key elements:

· 15 % improvement over business as usual to the National Average Fuel Consumption(NAFC) target by 2010;

· Introduction of the fuel consumption label, as of 1 January 2001;

· Improved fuel quality standards; and

· Promotion of alternative fuels.

(7) Yes. The Australian Greenhouse Office estimates that the introduction of mandatory fuel consumption labelling would result in savings of approximately 800,000 tonnes per annum of greenhouse gas emissions in 2010.

(8) and (9)

The Australian Greenhouse Office advises that estimates have not been finalised.

(10) and (11)

Yes, the Government is aware of the US program. The Government has outlined a package of measures to reduce greenhouse emissions from Australia's motor vehicle fleet as mentioned above.