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National Road Transport Association calls for infrastructure investment

The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has announced support for calls made by prominent economists that Australia invest more heavily in infrastructure.

The announced comes in spite of a proposed $100 billion infrastructure investment from the Federal Government.

Earlier this month when speaking with the Australian Financial Review, International Monetary Fund Economist Thomas Helbling said forecasts of economic downturn needed to be offset with infrastructure spending.

NatRoad’s announcement specifically referenced calls for infrastructure investment to be evaluated by an independent agency.

NatRoad CEO Warren Clark said the establishment of a regulator was urgently needed to help influence how tolled roads are planned, built and operated.

“At present, the process of deciding which roads should be tolled and how they are integrated into the road system is poorly planned,” Mr. Clark said.

“The setting up of an independent price regulator for heavy vehicles is long overdue and is an essential step in maintaining the long term viability and productivity of the road freight transport industry.”

According to Mr. Clark, independent price regulation should aim to replace the current charging system that funds road construction, which is a fuel based road user charge administered as a reduction in fuel tax credits and registration charges.

Mr. Clark said the proposed independent pricing regulator would possess a broad regulatory role including regulating and monitoring toll fees and landside port charges, in light of what he describes as a current lack of transparency and fairness in setting tolls and landside port charges for heavy vehicles.

Mr. Clark added the regulator must be empowered to solve issues with toll roads that three Parliamentary inquiries have failed to address, including the lack of competition in private toll road operation, heavy vehicle operators paying for road network improvements through increases in tolls without experiencing the promised efficiencies and governments forcing heavy vehicles to use tolled roads by banning them from alternative routes.

“Infrastructure spending is vital for the health of the Australian economy and for a viable road transport industry,” Mr. Clark said.


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