Emerald Chamber of Commerce Inc

Queensland car registration fees to rise, Labor urged to adopt Newman-like freeze

May 22, 2016 12:00am

Sarah Vogler - The Sunday Mail (Qld)

THE Queensland Government is being urged to freeze car registration as motorists brace for yet another above-inflation increase from July 1.

The Government has again moved to increase the cost of car registration along with a host of other fees and charges, including licence fees by 3.5 per cent, twice the CPI of 1.7 per cent.

It means the cost of registering a small four-cyclinder car will jump from $340.40 to $352.30, not including compulsory third party insurance (CTP).

Registration for a five or six-cylinder vehicle will jump to $527.30, while a seven or eight-cylinder vehicle will jump to $717.50.

Licence fees will jump by 3.5 per cent next financial year, taking the cost of a five-year licence from $159.40 to $165.00.

CTP could also increase by $32 from July 1 if the Government is successful in its push to introduce the national injury insurance scheme in Queensland.

RACQ spokeswoman Renee Smith called on the Government to freeze the price of rego.

“Queensland is still the most expensive state in the country to run a car, so this is just adding to the cost burden for Queenslanders,” she said.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt has defended the move, insisting the Government was simply applying the indexation policy introduced by the former Newman government.

“These settings were built into the budget when we came to government and they will be maintained,” Mr Pitt said.

“We’ve stuck to our commitment of not introducing any new taxes, fees or charges beyond the revenue policy settings we inherited from the LNP.”

Opposition transport spokesman Andrew Powell, however, said the Government should take responsibility for the hike, as it had the power to decide whether or not to slug motorists.

“The LNP froze car rego for the three years while we were in government and has guaranteed that registration for the family car would not rise by more than the inflation rate during the first term of an LNP government,” Mr Powell said.

“Premier Palaszczuk has the power to do just the same. Curtis Pitt can strike whatever car rego rates he likes.

“Instead, we see this … Government looking for any opportunity to raise revenue, deciding to increase car rego ... and saying to hell with the impact on Queensland families.”

The President of the Emerald Chamber of Commerce, Victor Cominos called on the Government to give the people of Queensland a fairgo.

At a time when the economy is at an all time low and people particularly those living in the country arears trying to operate businesses are struggling the last thing that is needed is an increase in their cost of living. Mr. Cominos said, “It is time for the government to show some compassion”.   

 

This story has been brought to you by the Emerald Chamber of Commerce Inc.

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