CIT apprentice mechanics worked on hired EVs without rental company's knowledge, ACT Legislative Assembly hears

The ACT Legislative Assembly heard claims that Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) apprentice mechanics used electric vehicles (EVs) from car hire companies, including Hertz, for training without authorization. A whistleblower disclosed that the CIT Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence hired EVs under false pretenses, using them for mechanical training—such as battery work and de-powering—without informing the rental companies. The vehicles were later rented to customers without disclosing their prior use, posing risks to public safety, according to Independent MLA Thomas Emerson. Emerson tabled documents and read a statement alleging CIT management approved the practice despite internal warnings in 2025. An email from a CIT employee to CEO Margot McNeill in January 2026 highlighted concerns, but no action was taken. The whistleblower’s formal disclosure to McNeill went unaddressed, with unsafe activities continuing. The $24 million facility, funded by the Federal and ACT governments, was launched in May 2024 as a first-of-its-kind EV training center. Emerson used parliamentary privilege to argue for stronger whistleblower protections, citing significant safety risks from unqualified students working on EVs without oversight. The allegations include improper invoicing of EVs as travel expenses and no safety assurances, such as testing or tagging. Emerson emphasized that some vehicles were re-rented to the public without Hertz’s knowledge of their prior use for training. The whistleblower’s claims describe potential injury or death risks due to improper handling of high-voltage batteries. CIT’s executive leadership, including McNeill, allegedly failed to intervene despite escalated internal reports throughout 2025. The facility’s establishment was part of broader efforts to increase EV adoption and support a net-zero economy. Emerson’s revelations raise questions about accountability and safety protocols in vocational training programs. The assembly hearing highlighted systemic failures in addressing whistleblower concerns within CIT’s EV training operations.