Australians could be heading for an eye-wateringly expensive Christmas unless the Federal
Government acts now to take pressure off soaring fuel costs, the National Road Transport
Association (NatRoad) warns.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark is calling on the Albanese Government to urgently review the Heavy
Vehicle Road User Charge and drop it back to zero as diesel prices rapidly approach $3 a litre in
parts of Australia.
Unleaded petrol is also climbing sharply, with motorists in some parts of the country seeing prices
around $2.60 a litre.
Mr Clark said Australians should brace for the impact to spread well beyond the bowser as higher
diesel prices flow through the freight system and ultimately into the price of groceries, presents and
other Christmas essentials.
Australians could be heading for an eye-wateringly expensive Christmas unless the Federal
Government acts now to take pressure off soaring fuel costs, the National Road Transport
Association (NatRoad) warns.
NatRoad CEO Warren Clark is calling on the Albanese Government to urgently review the Heavy
Vehicle Road User Charge and drop it back to zero as diesel prices rapidly approach $3 a litre in
parts of Australia.
Unleaded petrol is also climbing sharply, with motorists in some parts of the country seeing prices
around $2.60 a litre.
Mr Clark said Australians should brace for the impact to spread well beyond the bowser as higher
diesel prices flow through the freight system and ultimately into the price of groceries, presents and
other Christmas essentials.
“Christmas is expensive already, but higher freight costs will fi nd their way onto the price tag,” he said.
The Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge is currently 32.4 cents per litre after temporary relief
introduced earlier this year ended.
Mr Clark said the Federal Government made a smart choice to act when fuel prices threatened
Australian businesses and households in April.
“We know dropping the Road User Charge had a positive impact right across the economy.
Canberra can’t control what’s happening in the Middle East, but it can control the tax it adds on top.
“We’re asking the Albanese Government to come to the party this Christmas and take the Road User
Charge back to zero until the end of January while these extraordinary conditions continue.”
Mr Clark said road freight operators were already being squeezed by escalating diesel prices, with
small and family-owned businesses particularly vulnerable.
“We are heading into one of the busiest freight periods of the year at exactly the same time families
are starting to travel more and household budgets are under enormous pressure.
“This isn’t just a trucking problem. It’s a cost-of-living problem.”
