Government keeps car emissions rule, but cuts the penalty for breaking it

Car importers must still meet emissions limits, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says, but the fine for missing them was cut nearly 80 percent last November. Importers said they could not get enough cleaner cars to comply. The fine is now about $15 per gram of CO₂ over the limit, far below Australia's $50–$100. New targets apply from 1 January 2028.