Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Natalie Ward
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads
Today while many are watching the race that stops the nation, the Minns Labor Government's toll review is still stuck in the starting gates and taxpayers are the ones left footing the bill.
News reports today have revealed that Allan Fels and David Cousins are each being paid $165,000 for ongoing work tied to Labor's toll review, even though their report was handed down more than a year ago. That's about $900 a day of taxpayers' money for a review that has delivered no change to tolls and no relief for drivers.
The Minns Labor Government's toll reform has turned into a multi-million-dollar circus:
- $5.4 million wasted on a review with no outcome
- $1.7 million paid in consulting fees
- $145,000 on five-star hotels and business-class flights
- $2.75 million for new lawyers
- New tolls being explored on the M5 West, M5 East, Harbour Bridge, Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Distributor
- Toll hikes already applied to the Harbour Bridge and Tunnel and two-way tolling to come
- Drivers warned some tolls could increase up to nine times higher
Before the election, Labor promised no new tolls and fairness for drivers. After almost 1,000 days, they have delivered nothing The toll cap expires in 57 days, and there is still no replacement, no plan and no delivery.
Every minister and department has had a turn in the saddle including, Jo Haylen, John Graham, Premier's Department Secretary Simon Draper, teams in Treasury, Transport for NSW and the Premier's Department, and after three Labor budgets, drivers are left clueless as to what is happening.
Premier Chris Minns should know better than anyone how the system works. As the senior staffer to former Labor Roads Minister Carl Scully, he helped design Sydney's toll network in the first place. He built the track, and now he cannot find the finish line.
Getting across the line clearly is not Labor's thing. We saw that with their Rosehill thought bubble, and now again with a toll review that has gone nowhere while consultants keep collecting prize money for a race that never ran.
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Labor's toll review has become the slowest race in Australia.
"After almost 1,000 days, the only thing across the finish line is the bill. The consultants are galloping away with millions while drivers are left eating dust," Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said Labor's toll review is still stuck at the barriers.
"Labor promised fairness for motorists, but has delivered higher tolls, more lawyers and more consultants. The only sure bet this Melbourne Cup Day is that under Labor, taxpayers always lose," Ms Ward said.
