POLITICS
Toll Review released as Minns Labor
Government delivers cost-of-living relief
with Hugh McDermott MP
On 16th July , the final report of the Independent Toll Review was handed down by Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins .
The former NSW Liberal government left Sydney as the most tolled city on earth , because of their obsession with privatisation . That is why the Minns Labor Government welcomes the final report which exposes the full impact of toll road privatisation by the former government .
Professor Fels ’ 382-page Toll Review , appropriately titled ‘ Motorists First ’, exposes the lack of a unified tolling system that has created complexity , inefficiency , inequities and unfairness , with our Western Sydney residents financially impacted the most .
The Toll Review has confirmed that Western Sydney toll roads have significantly higher charges than others , on a per-kilometre basis , for no clear economic rationale , while high tolls across the board in Sydney negatively impact our local motorists struggling to meet the costs involved .
Earlier this year , I spoke in Parliament in support of establishing the $ 60 weekly Toll Cap , highlighting the important and immediate relief it has already proven to provide to our families in Western Sydney .
I ’ m proud that more than 36,000 Western Sydney residents have claimed an average of $ 245 in the first quarter of 2024 alone .
And there ’ s more to claim - our flagship cost-of-living relief will return more than $ 560 million to local motorists over the next two years . However , the $ 60 weekly Toll Cap is only the first step of much needed reforms to toll policy .
The Minns Labor Government will now consider the Toll Review and respond in due course , filling the gaps in the road network . This is especially the case for the rapidly growing communities of Western Sydney , where infrastructure delivery in recent years has not kept pace with development .
Toll reform is critical . Now is a once in a generation chance to address the issue . Currently , tolls cost our motorists around $ 2.5 billion each year , putting family budgets under significant pressure . This is set to blow out to a whopping $ 195 billion be paid out through to 2060 , because the former Liberal government had an attitude of ‘ set and forget ’ on tolls . Without reform , that burden will continue to land heaviest on those who can least afford it in Western Sydney .
That ’ s why the Minns Labor Government is committed to reforming Sydney ’ s toll network to restore fairness ,
Dr Hugh McDermott MP with Premier Chris Minns and Deputy Premier Prue Car at a local school in the Prospect Electorate .
simplicity and transparency to the system , particularly for motorists in Western Sydney who have been paying the most in tolls .
The Toll Review highlights this will be a complex task , which will take careful consideration , planning and expertise . We will only consider a change if it meant lower tolls overall for the people of New South Wales .
The previous ‘ set and forget ’ tolls trajectory , if unchecked , would make for a city that is more congested and more divided into the future . I am proud to represent our local Prospect Electorate community , one which is vibrant , hardworking and that has paid more than its fair share on tolls .
I am committed to deliver for our local community across Western Sydney .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 41 // AUGUST 2024 19