The council is repeating calls for the government to develop a nationally consistent system
The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) is calling for the coordination of a nationally consistent Road User Charge (RUC).
The ALC welcomes comments made by the Federal government on the importance of this national RUC and supports the development of a nation-wide RUC system through the national cabinet process.
According to the ALC, a consistent RUC system will ensure a sustainable stream of investment in transport infrastructure and will provide clarity for operators in the freight and logistics supply chain.
This move follows Federal Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham commenting in The Australian newspaper that the road user charging systems in Victoria and South Australia are “mature approaches”.
He also outlined the need for a sustainable revenue source to build infrastructure in the transport industry.
The ALC says it’s critical that cabinet establishes a pathway for the implementation of a nationally consistent RUC across all vehicle classes.
“Australia has a national economy, and we need to put in place a fit-for-purpose and nationally consistent RUC system,” ALC CEO Brad Williams says.
“The uptake of electric vehicles provides an important catalyst for change and if we get the reform consistent across the board, it will provide a sustainable source of investment for government to build and maintain safer, more efficient road networks.”
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In a submission to the Senate Economics Committee last year, the ALC outlined the need for a nationally consistent road user charging system across all jurisdictions to avoid regulatory duplication.
Now, the ALC are continuing their call for the government to develop a steadfast RUC system for Australian road users.
“A nationally consistent reform will require collaboration between Federal and state/ territory governments to deliver uniformity for the supply chain,” Williams says.
“Freight knows no borders and inconsistencies with road charging schemes will create confusion and difficulty for those in the national freight and logistics supply chain.”