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Victorian electric car tax held unconstitutional

On 18 October 2023, by a 4:3 majority the High Court of Australia declared invalid a tax imposed by Victoria on the use of electric and hybrid vehicles. The tax imposed was held to be a “duty of excise” within the meaning of section 90 of the Constitution, and therefore a tax only able to be imposed by the Commonwealth.

The problem of contribution solved

The Victorian Parliament passed the Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2023, which addresses problems faced by parties with VCAT matters involving claims for contribution under Part IV of the Wrongs Act following the decision in Vaughan Constructions Pty Ltd v Melbourne Water Corporation [2023] VCAT 233.