Two complaints not upheld re National Party advert on Clean Car package

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has not upheld two complaints relating to a National Party advertisement criticising the Labour Government’s Clean Car package.

However, the ASA does describe the advert as “the National Party criticising the Labour Party’s Clean Car package by using a hyperbolic example of a ridiculous consequence of the tax for political effect”.

The National Party advert shows a two-door red convertible with a large hay bale on top, apparently suggesting farmers would be forced to use small EVs instead of utes to do their work as a consequence of the scheme, Newshub reports.

The advertisement relates to the Government’s “feebate” scheme where discounts of up to $8625 are eligible from July 1 this year for newly imported electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, while high-emissions vehicles will attract fees of up to $5175 – the fees aspect proposed from January 1 next year.

Autotalk has reported extensively on this, the rebate applying to new low or zero emission vehicles under $80,000 with at least a three-star safety rating.

One of the complaints to the ASA expressed concern about farmers being painted as lacking “basic critical thinking skills” by doing anything to get a pay-out from the Government, Newshub says.

“I believe to most casual readers this will come off to say that farmers will pass over suitable petrol or diesel models in favour of an unsuitable vehicle for the sake of receiving the rebate on their purchase – even if it means that they will lose functionality in doing so. I personally think this is insulting to Kiwi farmers,” the complaint reads.

“It also ignores upcoming electric utility vehicles and freight vehicles which will be unaffected by the levy imposed under this policy, and portrays electric vehicles as small and impractical, and serves to hinder efforts to reduce New Zealand’s transport emissions as a whole.”

The ASA did suggest the National Party advert was slightly over the top but says it’s important for National to be able to express its views on Government policies.

Thousands of farmers recently went on the road across 50 cities and towns to voice their concerns about the Government’s regulations, including the new Clean Car package.