Fuel tax to hit Queensland hard: Trad

Media Release

OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Shadow Transport and Main Roads Minister Jackie Trad MP has called on Campbell Newman to stand up for Queensland in light of Tony Abbott’s decision to slug families and businesses with a new fuel tax.
“Campbell Newman has said again and again that he would stand up to Tony Abbott if the Federal Budget was bad for Queensland,” Ms Trad said.
“Having promised no new taxes, Tony Abbott’s new fuel tax will make petrol more expensive every time people fill up their tanks."
“Queensland families and businesses are already reeling from skyrocketing electricity and water prices thanks to Campbell Newman. They can’t afford to pay more for petrol because of Tony Abbott’s new tax."
“The fuel tax is regressive and will disproportionately hurt people living in regional Queensland and the outer suburbs who are reliant on private vehicles and who by necessity must drive longer distances."
“Queenslanders who voted for Tony Abbott did so not knowing he was going to introduce a new fuel tax. They have every right to feel betrayed based on his string of broken promises.”
Ms Trad said the Federal budget failed to invest in any new public transport infrastructure, proving that the Liberals didn’t understand the way modern cities work.
“This decision means that people who rely on private vehicles will have no way of avoiding the tax slug by switching to public transport."
“The construction of Cross River Rail would be well underway right now if Campbell Newman had accepted the $715 million that the former federal Labor Government put on the table – instead thanks to the Newman Government’s preference for playing politics before the federal election we are another year closer to the rail capacity crisis in 2016 and there is no money for BaT."
‘Whilst I welcome funding for roads in the budget, the fact is it only exists because of Tony Abbott’s new fuel tax."

“Now is the time for Campbell Newman to tell Tony Abbott that his budget is one of broken promises, cruel cuts and twisted priorities, and is not in Queensland’s best interests.”