NT Government Should Help Fund LPG Conversions

The Chief Minister should step up to the plate and offer Territorians the chance to convert their cars from petrol to LPG at no or very little cost, Opposition Leader Jodeen Carney said today.

The Prime Minister has today announced a $2,000 grant to cover the cost of converting privately owned cars to LPG. Last week Opposition Leader, Jodeen Carney, called on the Chief Minister to offer a $1,000 rebate on top of any grants offered by the Federal Government.

"Today the Chief Minister could announce a Territory specific rebate of up to $1,000 to cover the cost of LPG conversion. This rebate would almost certainly remove the entire capital cost and allow Territory families to reduce their transport costs almost immediately.

"The Territory Government receives the revenue from over a third of the taxes and excises on petrol, and if it offered $1,000 rebate on top of the Prime Minister's $2,000 grant for LPG conversion, that seems to me to be a reasonable balance of responsibilities,” Ms Carney said.

"The Chief Minister made much of the cost on fuel in 2001, well now is her chance to do something constructive that could help ease the burden for Territory families.

The Opposition Leader today also called on the Chief Minister to commit to converting one third of NT Fleet vehicles to LPG.

"Increased demand for LPG will increase its availability, and larger volumes being brought to the Territory will bring down its cost.

"Every day that goes by there is another opportunity for the Chief Minister to show leadership and give families a break – And, so far everyday has passed without seeing this leadership, will today be the same?

2006-08-14