February 1, 2026 — Queensland’s Labor opposition has urged the Crime and Corruption Fee to look at potential fraud in an e-mobility rebate program that the social gathering launched throughout its time in authorities.
The initiative, launched by the Miles administration shortly earlier than the 2024 state election, supplied $500 rebates for e-bikes and $200 for e-scooters to advertise lively transportation. Eligible e-scooters wanted speed-limiting options capping them at 25 km/h, whereas power-assisted e-bikes had been restricted to a 200-watt most output. Electrical power-assisted cycles, which require pedaling to activate, had been restricted to 250 watts.
The $2 million program ran from September 23— simply earlier than the caretaker interval started—till October 25, the day previous to the election.
Revelations of Unlawful Purchases
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg disclosed that roughly 20 p.c of the rebates funded unlawful gadgets. Among the many 3,265 backed e-bikes, 693 had been non-compliant, and of the 1,508 e-scooters supported, 141 violated laws.
Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman emphasised that Labor enforced strict eligibility standards. She attributed any approvals for unlawful objects to shortcomings inside the Division of Transport and the Queensland Rural and Business Improvement Authority.
“Underneath these tips, these bikes ought to by no means have been authorized, and there are severe questions on why the Division of Transport and QRIDA allowed these funds to be given for these unlawful bikes,” Fentiman acknowledged.
Fentiman outlined three instant actions for the minister: impose fines on recipients who used public funds for unlawful purchases and seize the gadgets; examine departmental lapses; and refer the matter to moral requirements our bodies or the CCC, labeling it as fraud. She additionally known as for enhanced security measures to deal with unlawful bikes.
Authorities Response
Mickelberg rejected makes an attempt to shift accountability to public servants, insisting that accountability rested with the previous Labor authorities and then-Transport Minister Bart Mellish.
“It’s simple to cross the buck to public servants, however finally, it’s the federal government that’s accountable right here,” he mentioned. “It’s my view that Labor rolled this out in a haphazard manner for the aim of profitable votes, slightly than guaranteeing that they did the work in a relaxed and methodical manner.”
The minister burdened that correct oversight ought to have ensured rebates supported solely authorized gadgets, describing it as a primary requirement for such a precedence program.
