Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says motorists across Gippsland are backing the plan to cut the fuel excise by 25 cents per litre, if the Coalition wins the election on May 3.
Mr Chester, who has been a long-time advocate for cutting fuel excise, says the policy commitment from The Nationals would deliver immediate cost-of-living relief.
“At a time when the price of everything is going up, I’m determined to be part of a government that reduces the cost of living for all Gippslanders,” Mr Chester said.
“We’ve already announced our policy to cut fuel excise in half, which will save two-car families in Gippsland up to $1500 over 12 months.
“Cutting the excise by 25 cents per litre helps everyone who owns a petrol or diesel-driven car. Parents driving their kids to sport, pensioners travelling to visit grandkids, tradies quoting on a job, or students at Federation University – they have all told me they will welcome this practical cost-of-living relief.
“Labor’s plan for a 70 cents per day income tax reduction in 15 months’ time only helps people who earn wages. If you are an aged pensioner, student on Youth Allowance, or receiving disability benefits, you don’t get any help at all to run your car from Labor’s tiny tax cut.
“The Nationals are promising to reduce the price of fuel as immediate cost-of-living relief if we win the election on May 3.
“The biggest winners are regional people like us because we drive more miles every year than our city friends who already have access to heavily subsidised public transport.”
The policy has been backed by several organisations, including the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), with president Brett Hoskins saying it was a good incentive for regional families.
“Regional Australians drive double, triple, quadruple, sometimes as far as metro drivers, so their petrol bills are more expensive. It will help with off-farm costs,” Mr Hosking said.
