Dear Editor,
I AM getting rather tired of hearing politicians talk about “cost-of-living relief” while country Australians are paying through the nose to fill the tank.
Diesel is particularly painful. For those of us living in regional Australia, it isn’t a luxury.
We drive longer distances, businesses depend on it, farmers depend on it, tradies depend on it and almost everything that arrives in our shops has travelled here by diesel-powered truck.
When diesel becomes more expensive, the cost doesn’t stop at the browser. It works its way into freight, food, building materials, agricultural production and just about everything else.
The Federal Government knows this because it has already demonstrated that it can reduce fuel taxes.
Earlier this year it temporarily cut fuel excise by 32 cents a litre, subsequently reducing the relief to 16 cents before the measure ended on 2 August.
The Government has also temporarily reduced the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge.
So why stop?
I am not expecting Canberra to control the world oil price. I am expecting it to use the levers it actually controls.
Extend fuel-excise relief when international prices spike, like now.
Consider a targeted temporary reduction in the diesel tax burden on road transport. Improve competition and transparency in fuel markets.
And, for goodness’ sake, recognise that regional Australians cannot simply catch a train, walk to work or charge the family car when the nearest service, hospital, shop or job may be many kilometres away.
The Government has shown it can act when fuel prices become politically uncomfortable.
Country Australians need it to act because high diesel prices are hurting household budgets and regional businesses right now.
We don’t need another speech about cost-of-living pressures. We need some actual relief at the bowser.
Peter Gains
Manildra