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Federal Election: What it means for RAA members and our community
Federal Election: What it means for RAA members and our community
The 2025 Federal Election saw the re-election of the Albanese Labor Government – so what does that mean for RAA’s more than 830,000 members?
RAA’s Government Relations and Policy team have analysed the Labor Government’s election commitments and how it will impact RAA’s members.
Energy
Home battery subsidies
- The $2.3bn Cheaper Home Batteries program will be rolled out from 1 July onwards reducing the cost of a typical installed battery by 30 per cent and helping households save up to $2,300 annually on their energy bills – with over one million new batteries expected to be installed by 2030.
- What does it mean for RAA members? Home batteries will be more affordable for households, helping to reduce energy bills.
Cost of living energy rebates
- From July 1, 2025, every household and around one million small businesses will see another $150 in energy rebates automatically applied to their electricity bills in quarterly instalments, on top of the previous rebates already being rolled out for households and small businesses.
- What does it mean for RAA members? This will provide some temporary cost-of-living relief by reducing energy bills by $75 for an additional two quarters.
Transport
AusRAP star ratings
- The Labor government did not commit to making AusRAP road safety ratings public, in line with the AAA’s My Safety Counts campaign that was supported by the Coalition, Greens and a number of Independents.
- What does it mean for RAA members? This means RAA members – and the community – won’t know how safe our roads are or whether road funding is being spent on the roads that need it most.
Hills freight bypass
- The Albanese Government has committed $525 million over 10 years as part of Stage 1 of the High Productivity Vehicle Network, a major investment to deliver the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass including a bypass of Truro, duplication of the Swanport Bridge near Murray Bridge and a series of upgrades between Monarto and the Sturt Highway.
What does it mean for RAA members? RAA supports this funding commitment; however, we believe the federal government should commit 80% of funding the total project cost.
Progressing motoring tax reform
- The Albanese Government did not commit to motoring tax reform during the election; however, Treasurer Jim Chalmers hinted on several occasions that addressing falling fuel excise revenue would be a tax reform priority if Labor is re-elected.
- What does it mean for RAA members? Motoring tax reform is a priority for RAA and AAA to ensure we have a long term, sustainable funding model to maintain and upgrade our roads as the fuel excise continues to decrease.
Addressing road maintenance
- There were no major announcements or commitments to address South Australia’s $2 billion road maintenance backlog.
- What does it mean for RAA members? It means South Australian roads will remain under pressure and RAA will continue lobbying both State and Federal Governments for more funding to address this important issue.
National Highway duplications
- There were no commitments to duplicate the Augusta, Sturt or Dukes Highways.
- What does it mean for RAA members? It means these highways are not as safe, nor productive, as they should be, and RAA will continue lobbying both State and Federal Governments for more funding to address this important issue.
Vehicle emission standards
- A Federal Labor Government will enforce penalties for manufacturers breaching the new Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standard.
- What does it mean for RAA members? It RAA will continue to monitor the impact of this new standard in cooperation with the AAA, with a focus on reducing emissions but also keeping motor vehicles affordable.
Travel/Tourism
- No major announcements were made for the travel or tourism sector as part of this year’s election or Federal Budget commitments.
- What does it mean for RAA members? RAA will continue to advocate for tourism initiatives that drive jobs and growth in South Australia.
RAA Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade said RAA looked forward to working with the re-elected Albanese Government to deliver on important initiatives on behalf of their 830,000 members.
“The Adelaide Hills Freight Bypass, Solar Battery subsidy and energy rebates are great projects and initiatives that will improve road safety and provide energy bill relief for South Australians,” Mr Reade said.
“However, we will work with the Federal Government to hopefully deliver more outcomes on behalf of members – such as progressive duplication of our national highways and increasing road maintenance funding.
“RAA will keep our members and community updated with any new announcements made in these areas, as we continue to advocate for a safe, sustainable and liveable South Australia.”
For more on RAA’s public policy positions visit https://daily.raa.com.au/what-do-we-stand-for/
visit raa.com.au