THE AUSTRALIAN Trucking Association (ATA) has endorsed the National Transport Commission (NTC)’s proposal to cut 0.7 cents per litre off the industry’s fuel tax credit, but has asked the Australian Government for a six-month delay in carrying it out.
The NTC recommended the Australian Government should reduce the fuel tax credit to take into account the increase in government spending on roads over the seven years from July 2001 to June 2008.
As a result, the fuel tax credit received by trucking operators would fall from 17.143 cents per litre to 16.443 cents per litre.
Chairman of the ATA’s Transport and Economics Policy Committee, David Simon said the federal and state governments have substantially increased their spending on arterial roads and the trucking industry must pay for their share of this extra spending which has significantly increased safety.
The NTC says the reduction should occur from 1 July 2009, but the ATA has asked the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese to consider delaying it until 1 January 2010.
Simon said the trucking industry and its customers are facing tough times, so it would make sense to hold off on reducing the fuel tax credit for six months.
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