Labor pledges to cap road tolls

SPRING ST, MELBOURNE. — Victorian motorists could be better off after this state election, with Labor pledging to cap tolls at $30 a week next year to match similar plans announced by the Liberal Party.

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SPRING ST, MELBOURNE. — Victorian motorists could be better off after this state election, with Labor pledging to cap tolls at $30 a week next year to match similar plans announced by the Liberal Party.

Premier Ben Carroll will today announce the Labor Party’s latest cost-of-living policy, with Victorian families, tradies and small businesses set to have their tolls capped at $30 a week for one year in 2027.

However, motorists will still have to pay the tolls and then claim a rebate on up to five vehicles through the Service Victoria app.

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Melbourne’s CityLink toll road. PHOTO: SBS/Supplied.

Under Labor’s plan, drivers of cars, utes, vans and motorbikes would have their tolls capped at $30 a week in 2027, up to a maximum of $350 a month or $5000 a year, with the policy expected to cost taxpayers $191m from January 2027.

They are also promising to rewrite the rules requiring toll operators to send paper bills to drivers without an e-Tag, cutting the current $16 administration fee for issuing the notice to $5.

Premier Ben Carroll has promoted the move, stating that: “Less money on tolls means more money in your pocket”.

“Car, ute, van or motorbike – you won’t pay more than $30 a week, and you can save as much as $5000.”

The Coalition’s plan, announced in August, will run for two years, capping weekly tolls at $50, with motorists able to claim up to $6000 across the life of the scheme.

The Liberal’s scheme will operate from July 1, 2027, for $180m if elected to Spring Street.

Both party’s policies would apply to all Victorian toll roads, including CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel.

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