The road transport industry welcomes the announcement that the federal Government has agreed to freeze the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge at the current levels, NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said today.
The Road User Charge will stay at 25.8 cents per litre for diesel in 2020-21 instead of increasing by a scheduled 2.5 % per annum over two financial years.
“It’s great to see that the road transport industry contribution to sustaining the Australian economy and delivering vital goods during COVID-19 is recognized. The freeze will help relieve some of the financial pressure many businesses are feeling during this time,’ said Warren. “The work of the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant Minister Scott Buchholz should be recognised and applauded.
“2020 has been a challenging year for most of our member operators with the double impact of the bushfires and now COVID-19.
“Transport operators have tight profit margins and any steps to reduce operators’ costs is helpful in business survival.
“This is a win for our industry and NatRoad is pleased that our participation in negotiating this freeze has come to fruition. The next step is for States and Territories to either freeze or reduce the burdensome heavy vehicle registration charges which are also due to rise by 2.5% from 1 July 2020.
“Natroad is committed to helping its members every inch of the way in the worst economic situation since the Great Depression, advocating for change where appropriate. We need to remain agile and adopt appropriate reforms during this period of uncertainty as COVID-19 continues to affect the community.
“We will continue to press for changes that reduce members costs during these tough times, so that it can weather the virus-induced economic storm, and beyond it,’ said Warren.
