12 September 2005
AA Welcomes Roading Levy Announcement
Today's decision by the National Party to take up the AA's calls to suspend the five-cent per litre roading levy on
petrol while prices are high, has been welcomed by the motoring organisation.
AA spokesman, Greg Hunting, said the organisation had been calling for political parties to take this step every since
prices rose after Hurricane Katrina hit the United States.
"The GST on petrol being collected has increased from around 11 cents per litre when the five-cent levy was announced,
to around 17 cents per litre now that petrol prices are at $1.50+. We believe the GST windfall should be used to replace
the levy so that road funding doesn't suffer and motorists get at least some relief from higher prices," Mr. Hunting
said.
"We'd also welcome a similar undertaking from other parties," he said.
"The impact of high petrol prices hits everyone because we can't avoid driving to and from work, taking the kids to and
from school and going shopping.
"We're also going to see higher supermarket prices - in fact higher prices on any goods and services involving transport
- because of the high fuel prices and that will have a very negative impact on family budgets.
"It's also pleasing to note that there has been a slight fall in retail prices of between two and three cents per litre
today.
"Based on world prices which have fallen to US $64 per barrel today we believe there should be further falls as there
have been in Australia where prices today have dropped seven cents from when they peaked last Friday," he said.
ENDS