Thursday, 17 August 2023

Eastern Victoria Region

Tom McINTOSH (Eastern Victoria) (12:37): (353) My question is for the Minister for Energy and Resources in the other place. Minister, what is the government doing to support the increasing use of electric vehicles in Victoria, especially in rural and regional areas? Last month the Flinders charging station was officially opened thanks to the Destination Charging Across Victoria program. This program makes it easier for Victorians to charge their electric vehicles by creating an EV fast-charging network at tourist destinations and regional towns across the state. Many of these charging stations are in Eastern Victoria, including Mallacoota, Paynesville, Sale and Korumburra. This investment will make the uptake of EVs in regional areas easier and cheaper and ensure that location will not be a barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles. Additionally, it will boost regional businesses, giving travellers a convenient reason to stop in and see the best that Victoria’s regional towns have to offer. I am proud to be part of a government that is investing in regional Victoria, and I am excited to see the benefits that this policy brings to communities in Eastern Victoria.