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The NRMA recently held a number of Member focus groups to get their views on the state of our roads.
Not surprisingly, you told us that you would like to see more of the $14 billion through the fuel excise spent on roads. Our 1.8 million Members are major contributors to this tax and they deserve better, safer roads. |
Currently, only $3 billion of this is spent on roads.
Our Members prefer the Government build and own roads, rather than leave it to the private sector. After the Cross City Tunnel debacle, who could blame them!
However, they also recognise that in an era where governments are obsessed with balancing budgets this scenario is less and less likely and that many of our future road projects will need the private sector involved in some way. Regardless of who builds these roads the NRMA will not shirk from its responsibility to make sure that motorists get a fair deal and get the roads they deserve.
We campaigned hard to get motorists a one month toll-free period with the opening of the Lane Cove Tunnel and a fair toll. We will also continue to pressure the state and federal governments to increase their contribution to our road network. Easing traffic congestion is just one of the benefits that come with fixing our road network.
In 2004, road crashes cost the country more than $17 billion in health care, insurance, counselling and loss of labour, or 2.2 per cent of Australia’s GDP.
To put this in context, the contribution of Australia’s agricultural sector is between 2.5 and 3 per cent of GDP. Basically, the wealth we are making off our farms is almost entirely being wasted by having unsafe roads.
I was heartened by a separate survey of NRMA Members that found that next to our legendary road service, it is our advocacy and lobbying work around road funding, petrol prices and tolls that our members value most out of the membership.
When we consider some of the amazing deals you can now get through Thrifty, Travelodge, our holiday parks and other services that is quite a significant finding.
It also sends a clear message to my fellow Board members and I – do not give up fighting on our behalf.
This is what you have asked of us and we look forward to continuing this work throughout the year.
Alan Evans President
