May 13, 2014

The RACQ says Queenslanders will suffer from what it has described as a “fuel cash grab” in tonight’s Federal Budget.

The RACQ has called on the Federal Government to commit to a greater share of the fuel excise for Queensland roads and rail.

It was revealed in the Budget that fuel excise indexation would be re-introduced twice annually from August 1.

RACQ’s Executive Manager Public Policy Michael Roth said this tax was a blatant cash grab.

“The increase in the fuel excise will take about $40 million from Queenslanders in 2014-15, and will rise by a further $70 million each year,” Mr Roth said.

“The fuel excise raises more than $15 billion dollars annually and despite the government’s commitment to roads it still siphons much of this to consolidated revenue.

“Motorists shouldn’t be slugged again while the trucking and mining industries continue to receive subsidies.”

Mr Roth said the Club welcomed the government’s decision to keep its pre-election commitment to infrastructure in Queensland.

“The government has delivered on its earlier promises on road funding, and we commend it on that,” he said.

“We only wish we didn’t need to cop an increase to the fuel excise in order to pay for these infrastructure projects.”

The Federal Government’s transport commitments for Queensland include $6.7 billion over 10 years to upgrade the Bruce Highway, $1.285 billion for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and $16 million to fix black spots on the D’Aguilar Highway.