The car maker Porsche has attacked Australia’s Northern Territory over a plan to impose speed limits along stretches of an outback highway where drivers can currently go as fast as they like.

Accusing the territory’s government of creating a “nanny state”, Porsche said the plan to introduce a speed limit of 81 miles (130 kilometres) per hour would damage the territory’s reputation and discourage international car firms from using the highway to test vehicles and film advertisements.

“It seems the Northern Territory government is doing its best to deter international car companies from coming to Australia to spend money and invest in the local economy," Paul Ellis, Porsche’s director of public relations, told ABC News.

"Speed does not kill, bad driving kills. It is just a shame we've taken a nanny state approach."