THE federal government is taking the unusual step of ordering a recall of more than two million cars fitted with Takata airbags which have caused deaths worldwide, including at least one death in Australia.
Assistant Minister to the Treasurer Michael Sukkar will make the announcement at 9am (AEDT) on Wednesday, when he will detail the airbags and particular car models affected.
"The sad thing about this is that this has been waiting in the wings for months and months," Labor's consumer affairs spokesman Tim Hammond told reporters in Canberra.
"It is an indictment of this government that they have taken them so long to pull the trigger on a compulsory recall.".
Labor called for a recall in August last year.
Manufacturers Ford, Holden and Volkswagen are among the carmakers that will be expected to urgently replace the airbags, which can explode.
"We put the safety of Australians first and foremost at all times," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters.
The Australian compulsory recall is one of the largest of its kind and follows voluntary recalls by car makers last year impacting 1.7 million vehicles.
Australian Associated Press
