Long-term financial relief needed for motorists: RACQ

RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said the Club would like to see the State Government commit to a three-year freeze on increases to vehicle registration for private-use vehicles.

“A lot of Queenslanders are doing it tough right now and it isn’t the time for registration to be increasing,” Dr Michael said.

“We would also like to see any planned increases to public transport fares deferred to encourage more people back on to public transport and help prevent making congestion worse.

“We are also calling on the State to liaise with Transurban and Brisbane City Council to do away with the planned increase to toll charges scheduled for 1 July.

“These three measures will help deliver more affordable travel to almost every Queenslander as stay-at-home restrictions are slowly eased.”

Dr Michael said it was pleasing to see a range of crisis relief measures had been phased in to address short-term impacts, such as learner drivers being able to renew their licence at no cost if it expired before they could book a practical driving test.

“Those steps are welcomed, but we need to realise the tail end of the recovery is going to be long and we need to look for further opportunities to reduce the financial burden,” she said.

“In the meantime, motorists should consider other measures available to help ease financial stress, like switching to monthly registration payments and public transport fare concessions available to job seekers, pensioners and seniors and those with a disability.”