Truckies want cash payments, slash in road user charge
Transport companies are seeking urgent financial payments and cuts to heavy vehicle road user charges as part of a nationwide response to fuel shortages caused by the Iran war.
Australia’s consumer watchdog reported on Friday that average diesel prices in the five largest cities rose by 27.8 cents in a week to 303.5 cents per litre.
A liter of unleaded gasoline increased to 252.2 cents.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a national response to the fuel crisis and supply-related measures are expected to be announced on Saturday.
The National Road Transport Association called for three “immediate” actions: immediate financial support payments for affected transport businesses, a six-month moratorium on heavy vehicle equipment loan repayments and a road user charge suspension.
“A consistent approach across the country is critical to ensure operators are not faced with a raft of measures and have access to the same level of support wherever they operate,” chief executive Warren Clark said.
“These are practical, short-term measures that will provide immediate cash flow relief and help keep trucks on the road.”
The coalition called for a reduction in fuel tax to reassure drivers.
But Mr Clark said mitigation alone would not be enough to meet the scale of the current crisis.
“The government’s response has fallen well short of what the industry urgently needs,” he said.
“Operators are screaming for help, but the government is largely absent at a time when decisive intervention is critical.”
Mr Albanese will meet state and territory leaders on Monday to co-ordinate the national cabinet response.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said the 52.6 billion liter excise duty and halving the heavy vehicle road user charge would provide immediate relief to households.
The government said six canceled or delayed fuel shipments to Australia were replaced by new cargoes.
Labor has repeatedly insisted that Australia has enough fuel and that any shortages are due to panic buying.
The US war against Iran disrupted one of the world’s most important oil corridors and caused global oil prices to rise rapidly.
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