More than 1,500 Queenslanders flood RACQ online petition every hour to protest against abolition of fuel rebate
Following Premier Anna Bligh’s confirmation of the abolition of the State’s fuel rebate, more than 1,500 Queenslanders are flooding the RACQ online petition every hour.
Launched only a week ago, almost 70,000 people have now joined the fight to prevent a fuel subsidy scrapping.
RACQ ‘s General Manager for External Relations, Gary Fites, says the skyrocketing response flew in the face of the Premier’s claims the fuel subsidy was “a luxury we simply cannot afford”.
“The subsidy is not a luxury Queensland can’t afford – it’s a new tax we’ve never had,” he says.
“But one of the great qualities Queenslanders possess is a never-say-die attitude and the support for the ‘fight the fuel tax campaign’ is a great example.”
Fites says RACQ will continue to fight the State Government’s plan, which would see every Queenslander pay 9.2 cents more for petrol and diesel come July 1.
“Former Premier Peter Beattie made a similar announcement back in 2000, but had the good sense to reverse it when Queenslanders voiced their outrage,” he says.
Concern over the tax is being amplified by 17 to 22 percent hikes in vehicle registration fees, which will see Queenslanders hundreds of dollars out of pocket.
“We’re hoping the current Premier has such good listening skills, because this new tax will hurt all Queensland families who are already doing it tough,” he says.
Marine Queensland today became the latest major industry to lend its support to the RACQ campaign, joining AgForce, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland.
Individuals and businesses concerned about the loss of the subsidy can add their names to the petition at www.racq.com/fuelsubsidy.