Natalie Ward
Shadow Minister for Transport
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
Acting Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
1,194 days ago, The Minns Labor Government started its toll reform review that has only achieved cost shifting and spin. Today, they have been caught out secretly increasing toll enforcement while collecting millions in unpaid toll fines, despite making multiple promises to leave drivers better off.
Under the new scheme, the Government has dramatically reduced the amount of time motorists have to pay an unpaid toll before enforcement action begins. Under the new system, motorists have just 21 days before toll road operators ensure debt collectors and fines are sent to drivers, compared with 78 days under the previous scheme.
When Labor promoted the removal of $10 toll notice administration fees as cost-of-living relief, it failed to tell motorists they would have less than one-third of the time to rectify an unpaid toll before facing penalties.
For comparison, if a driver failed to pay a toll after 21 days, under the old system they would be responsible for a $30 of admin fees in addition to the toll. Under Labor’s scheme, they will now be fined $237 in addition to the toll.
The changes also mean registered vehicle owners will be responsible for unpaid tolls incurred by anyone driving their vehicle, placing an additional burden on families and small businesses.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said the figures expose a Government that is more interested in raising revenue than helping motorists through the cost-of-living crisis.
“The Government made plenty of noise about scrapping the $10 administration fee but stayed very quiet about cutting the payment period from 78 days to just 21 days before motorists can be hit with a $237 fine.”
“Honest mistakes shouldn’t become another revenue stream for the Minns Government. It is cost shifting that will see people fined or have their licence suspended so the Minns Labor Government can chase a headline.”
