The Australian Automobile Association is backing the opposition’s calls for dedicated funding for transport infrastructure.
Chief executive Michael Bradley wants to see the issue “front and centre” in next year’s election campaign.
“Worsening congestion and a lack of transport choice will continue to impair productivity for the nation and quality of life for the individual,” he said.
While the association is backing calls for a set-in-stone funding stream to ensure continued infrastructure growth, it wants assurance that currently allocated funding for projects is not jeopardised.
“Australian motorists pay tens of billions in tax each year and they will be looking to both sides of politics to articulate in the year ahead how they plan to ensure road-users receive a fair and transparent return on this contribution,” said Bradley.
“The AAA has long held concerns about the transport infrastructure backlog that exists right across Australia and the fact that less than 50 cents in every dollar paid by motorists in fuel excise is finding its way back into transport funding.”
Putting a dedicated transport funding framework in place would be an opportunity for the government to improve transparency around transport taxes – and how they’re invested – said Bradley in a statement.
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