Morning Mail: plan to charge EVs for road use, which jobs are least vulnerable to AI, Paul Kelly’s Gravy sequel revealed
The Australian government is set to revive a road‑use charge for electric vehicles as petrol excise revenue dwindles. A separate Jobs and Skills Australia study identifies which occupations are most and least at risk from artificial intelligence, highlighting cleaning, construction and hospitality…
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that the federal government will bring forward a long‑delayed proposal to levy electric‑vehicle (EV) drivers for road use. The move aims to plug a widening gap in the fuel excise fund as the uptake of EVs accelerates and traditional petrol revenue shrinks.
Why a new EV road charge is being considered
Australia’s fuel excise has funded road maintenance and infrastructure projects for decades. Recent data from the Treasury shows that as more Australians switch to battery‑powered cars, the annual collection from petrol and diesel taxes is projected to fall by up to 30 percent over the next five years. Without an alternative source, the government faces a shortfall that could delay upgrades to highways, regional roads and public transport links.
Albanese told participants at the upcoming productivity roundtable that the EV road‑use charge would be modelled on schemes already operating in Europe, where drivers pay a kilometre‑based fee that reflects road wear and congestion impact. The proposal is expected to be refined in the coming weeks, with details on rates, reporting mechanisms and exemptions for heavy‑duty electric trucks still under discussion.
Study ranks jobs by AI vulnerability
In a separate development, Jobs and Skills Australia released a comprehensive report analysing how artificial intelligence could reshape the Australian labour market. The study surveyed over 2,000 employers across ten sectors and applied a risk‑scoring model that accounts for task automation potential, skill transferability and historical employment trends.
According to the findings, occupations in cleaning, construction, hospitality and certain manual trades rank lowest on the AI‑risk scale. These roles typically involve physical interaction, unpredictable environments or nuanced human judgement that current AI systems struggle to replicate. Conversely, professions such as accounting, legal research, data analysis and some aspects of medical diagnostics sit at the high‑risk end of the spectrum, with automation potential estimated at 40‑60 percent within the next decade.
The report’s authors caution that even low‑risk jobs will feel indirect effects, such as AI‑driven scheduling tools or inventory management systems. They recommend upskilling programmes focused on digital literacy, problem‑solving and interpersonal skills to future‑proof the workforce.
Paul Kelly’s “Gravy” sequel and other headlines
Veteran singer‑songwriter Paul Kelly used the same media briefing to reveal a sequel to his beloved 1996 track “How to Make Gravy.” The new piece, titled “Rita Wrote a Letter,” continues the narrative of the fictional soldier “Joe” whose letters home became an Australian cultural touchstone during the 1990s. Kelly said the sequel reflects on themes of loss and reconciliation, linking the original’s wartime backdrop to contemporary social issues.
Other items in the morning roundup included a warning from former US President Donald Trump that Russia would face “severe consequences” if it does not agree to a truce in Ukraine, and a report that Qantas has cancelled flights at twice the rate of rival Virgin Australia over the past month. A Victorian analysis suggested the state could save nearly $500 million by ending subsidies for greyhound racing, following Tasmania’s recent policy shift.
Environmental news highlighted a study showing that roughly 5 percent of common Australian wild birds, such as kookaburras and lorikeets, may experience sex reversal—a mismatch between genetic sex and reproductive organs. Meanwhile, wildfires in Spain and extreme heat in Arizona underscore the growing climate emergency, prompting calls for stronger mitigation measures.
In sports, the AFL Women’s league kicked off its tenth season with Collingwood versus Carlton, while Cricket Australia’s CEO warned that smaller cricketing nations risk bankruptcy if they continue to fund the financially draining Test format. Tennis veteran Venus Williams announced a comeback at the US Open, becoming the oldest Grand Slam singles entrant in nearly five decades.
These diverse stories illustrate a nation grappling with rapid technological change, fiscal pressures and cultural moments that resonate across generations.
Why it matters
The EV road‑use tax could reshape transport funding, while the AI job risk study informs policy on workforce reskilling, both crucial for Australia's economic resilience.
Key points
- Albanese plans to introduce a kilometre‑based tax for electric‑vehicle drivers to offset falling fuel excise revenue.
- Jobs and Skills Australia ranks cleaning, construction and hospitality as the least vulnerable occupations to AI automation.
- High‑risk AI jobs include accounting, legal research and data analysis, with up to 60% automation potential.
- Paul Kelly announces a sequel to his iconic song “How to Make Gravy,” linking past and present themes.
- Qantas flight cancellations have doubled Virgin Australia's rate, reflecting ongoing airline industry challenges.
Frequently asked questions
When will the EV road‑use tax be implemented?
The government expects to finalize the policy details at the productivity roundtable next week, with legislation likely introduced in the second half of 2024.
Which Australian jobs are safest from AI disruption?
Roles in cleaning, construction, hospitality and certain manual trades are rated lowest in AI‑risk assessments, according to the Jobs and Skills Australia report.
What is the new Paul Kelly song about?
The sequel, “Rita Wrote a Letter,” continues the story of the fictional soldier Joe, exploring themes of loss and reconciliation in a contemporary context.
