The promise of toll relief is a win for local families struggling with the cost of living, says Labor candidate for Leppington Nathan Hagarty.
Speaking from Carnes Hill, in the heart of the Leppington electorate, Mr Hagarty joined Labor leader Chris Minns and members of the Labor team to announce the party’s policy on toll relief.
Key to the policy is a cap of $60 per week on tolls paid. This will operate on top of the existing toll rebate and cashback schemes.
The toll cap will be in place for two years and will commence on January 1 next year.
It will be administered by Service NSW. Any tolls charged above the cap will be refunded on a quarterly basis.
The scheme is set to save Sydney drivers $147 million over two years.
Mr Hagarty has lauded the policy as a victory for local families struggling under cost-of-living pressures.
“For the last 12 years, local families have suffered due to the Liberal Government’s obsession with privatisation. We are now the most tolled city in the world,” Mr Hagarty said.
“Whether it’s residents going to and from work on the M7 or M4, or going into the city on the M8 or M5 East, local families are having to fork out the big bucks just to go anywhere in Sydney. Make no mistake – this is a tax on Western Sydney.
“Labor is listening to local families – and only Labor is willing to act to deliver the necessary cost-of-living relief local families are crying out for.”
Carnes Hill couple, James and Lisa Rayner, pictured above with Mr Minns, Mr Hagarty and Labor shadow roads spokesman John Graham (left), said the policy would make a massive difference to the family budget.
“This will make a difference to so many families in this area. We are shift workers at the airport and forced to use the tolls each and every day.
“With the cost of living going up, this is a huge help and $1000s will go back into the family budget each year.’’
