Insurance and motoring services provider RACQ has called on the state government to freeze the cost of vehicle registration, provide discounts on public transport, and reduce stamp duty to deliver relief to support many Queenslanders who are facing financial hardship due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
“We urge the Queensland government to follow the lead of the West Australian government, where for the first time in 16 years, an increase on all household fees would be frozen until at least July 2021,” said Rebecca Michael, RACQ head of public policy. “RACQ’s Transport Costs Survey shows households in Queensland pay an average of $1,320 each year for registration across all vehicles. Transport is our biggest weekly expense outside of paying our rent or mortgage and doing the groceries. The state budget is coming down next month and we believe that is the government’s opportunity to provide economic relief to Queenslanders.”
Michael urged the state government to reduce the cost of public transport for Queenslanders who currently spend more than $800 each year to get around.
“Transport is essential to accessing employment, education and health,” Michael said. “In these times of economic and social uncertainty, we need an affordable and efficient transport system more than ever.”
