Jacinta Allan - Leading a zombie government

[Sttew]

It needs to be done, one way or another

Agreed. But bypassing the Constitution is NOT the way. Either the state government was dumb or they were being smart arses. I'd say dumb, because the High Court case must have cost us $$$$.

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Far from it. Dan thought he could be smart and circumvent Section 90 of the Constitution. He had a track record of doing things in his inimitable way, but on this occasion the High Court swiftly found against the State of Victoria. So the burden then fell on the governments to find another way to make up for lost excise on EV cars

He was trying to get in before inevitably the federal government does it

 

[Sttew]

He was trying to get in before inevitably the federal government does it

So he was dumb! He must have known, and by 'He' I mean the government, that a state imposing a 'levy' is forbidden under s.90 of the Constitution. How much money did this charade cost taxpayers?

And you say Dan was trying to get in before the Feds. The High Court decision was handed down in 2023. We are now in 2025

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

So he was dumb! He must have known, and by 'He' I mean the government, that a state imposing a 'levy' is forbidden under s.90 of the Constitution. How much money did this charade cost taxpayers?

And you say Dan was trying to get in before the Feds. The High Court decision was handed down in 2023. We are now in 2025

It was the right thing to do but the wrong way to go about it. It was smart to implement it now instead of when electric vehicles become the majority.

And you can guarantee when that happens a federal government will be wanting to replace the shortfall of the fuel excise.

It's a problem you can fix now and not piss off a few people or a problem later where it pisses off the entire electorate

 

[Sttew]

It was the right thing to do but the wrong way to go about it. It was smart to implement it now instead of when electric vehicles become the majority.

And you can guarantee when that happens a federal government will be wanting to replace the shortfall of the fuel excise.

It's a problem you can fix now and not piss off a few people or a problem later where it pisses off the entire electorate

I don't want to get into a pi55ing competition. You say it was the right thing to do, but Victoria had to repay every penny derived from the tax, and pay legal costs. In other words, nothing gained and back to square one. A costly mistake, but when its not your money what does it matter?

 

[peetoo]

And yet states Can impose tolls on roads to help pay for upkeep. Only a slightly different levy

Maybe the e vehicle levy would have provided more funds for upkeep of roads

 

[nut]

With the rise of EVs we're even more screwed. They're heavier and do more damage, plus they pay no fuel excise, so don't contribute to road maintenance.

These two selfish pricks have a lot to answer for - Chris Vanderstock and Kath Davies launched the lawsuit

They tried to put a levy on EVs.
EVs aren’t that much heavier.
Do you prefer fumes?

 

[Sttew]

And yet states Can impose tolls on roads to help pay for upkeep. Only a slightly different levy

Maybe the e vehicle levy would have provided more funds for upkeep of roads

The High Court ruled that the EV tax was not “a licence or permit fee” for an activity that comes under a regulatory scheme — as Victoria tried to argue — but a tax on the use of an EV, which can only be imposed by the federal government.

 

[peetoo]

The High Court ruled that the EV tax was not “a licence or permit fee” for an activity that comes under a regulatory scheme — as Victoria tried to argue — but a tax on the use of an EV, which can only be imposed by the federal government.

If there was unchallenged precedent…it may have stuck. Now it look like it will go via the feds and more admin costs