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Industry takes road user charge concerns to Buchholz

ATA General Council “emphatically rejects” proposal as representatives meet with minister

 

The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has flagged a briefing today between member associations and Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz ahead of a ministerial meeting to decide on a road user charge increase.

It comes as the association’s General Council met yesterday where it agreed to “unanimously and emphatically reject a proposal to dramatically increase the truck fuel tax and registration charges”.

ATA notes it is “continuing our campaign as a united front against proposed truck tax increases” and is now lobbying Buchholz on the “dire implications” it would have on industry.  

“The call comes before transport ministers will meet on Friday to consider increasing the truck fuel tax and registration charges by 11.8 per cent over three years,” ATA chair Geoff Crouch says.

“The ATA and our members are standing up for Australia’s hardworking trucking operators to protect them from unfair, uncalled for overcharging.”


How news of the proposed tax hike broke cover, here


The ATA further points to its General Council resolution, which:

1.    Reminds governments that the existing heavy vehicle charging system has long overcharged trucking businesses, with the National Transport Commission projecting a $189.5 million over-recovery of charges for 2018-19.

2.    Reminds governments that large areas of Australia are in drought conditions and that rural and regional Australia is reliant on cost effective road freight transport.

3.    Reminds governments that urban road freight transport operators have experienced very large increases in toll road and port access charges, without any effective regulatory response.

4.    Affirms its previous position that trucking operators should not be overcharged.

5.    Notes with extreme concern that transport ministers are set to consider a proposal that would increase heavy vehicle charges by a further 11.8 per cent over three years.

6.    Notes that there has been no consultation with industry about the proposal – which is totally unacceptable – and that any consultation they hold after the meeting is against the principles of fair and due process.

7.    Warns that the vast majority of trucking businesses are small and family businesses and do not have the capacity to pass on fuel tax and registration charge increases.

8.    Calls on transport ministers to emphatically reject the proposed increase.

UPDATE: ATA has told ATN: “The ATA and its members had a great hearing with Minister Buchholz, and are satisfied he understands the impacts of the increase and the lack of consultation with industry regarding the proposal.”

ATN has contacted Buchholz’s office for comment.

 

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