Labor wants Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to explain why trucking was excluded from a freeze on rego charges
By Brad Gardner | June 6, 2012
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has been asked to account for why his government excluded the trucking industry from a freeze on registration charges.
Newman announced prior to the state’s March election he would freeze registration for owners of ‘family vehicles’ to assist them with cost of living expenses.
National heavy vehicle registration fees will rise in most jurisdictions on July 1, with charges on road trains increasing more than 20 percent. Fees for A-trailers will fall in a bid to assist B-double operators.
“The premier and [transport] minister need to provide a more fulsome explanation as to why their registration commitment does not extend to utes, trucks and motorbikes. Surely these motorists deserve some relief from cost of living pressures, too,” Labor MP Curtis Pitt says.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson last month blamed the state of Queensland’s financial position for the need to increase truck charges.
Liberal National Party (LNP) MP Howard Hobbs says the government needs to look at assisting transport operators manage their costs, citing the impact rising fuel prices has on the industry.
“Transport operators are hammered all the time because the costs are beating them. We really have to try and help reduce those costs,” he says.
The fuel excise will increase 2.4 cents per litre on July 1.
