Electric vehicles tax in Victoria is invalid the High Court has ruled, saying only the federal government has powers to make laws over such levies

The decision promoted furious dissent from Justice James Edelman, who said it neglected precedent and could threaten the “proper functioning of a federal system of distribution of powers”.

State taxes on the registration of luxury vehicles and the transfer of livestock are two areas that lawyers said could face immediate challenges, but they also said it could cover any state tax on the sale or use of goods – and even mining royalties.

‘World’s worst EV policy’

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