Victorian motorists who regularly use toll roads would have their weekly costs capped at $50 for two years under an election pledge from the Liberal-Nationals Coalition, with families, tradies and small businesses targeted for relief.
The policy, unveiled by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson on Sunday, would begin on 1 July 2027 if the Coalition wins government and would operate through quarterly rebates claimed through Service Victoria rather than an upfront reduction in toll charges.
Cars, light commercial vehicles and small-business fleets of up to five vehicles would be eligible. The Coalition estimates more than 100,000 Victorian families and businesses would benefit.
The policy is expected to cost about $180 million over two years, or $90 million a year, according to Coalition estimates reported on Sunday. Heavy trucks, rideshare vehicles, taxis and larger commercial fleets would be excluded, while annual savings would be subject to a $3000 fair-use limit.
The proposal is likely to appeal particularly to motorists who make repeated trips on Melbourne’s toll network and to tradespeople using light commercial vehicles, which can attract higher toll charges than passenger cars.
The policy is expected to cost about $180 million over two years, or $90 million a year, according to Coalition estimates reported on Sunday. Heavy trucks, rideshare vehicles, taxis and larger commercial fleets would be excluded, while annual savings would be subject to a $3000 fair-use limit
Wilson said the policy was designed to ease both household and business expenses. “Our toll cap will cut costs for families, tradies and small businesses and boost our economy.”
“By capping tolls for two years, a Liberal and Nationals Government will boost our economy and ensure families have more money to put towards the things that really matter,” she said.
The Coalition has linked the measure to its Ten Year Economic Plan, with Wilson saying: “Our $50 a week toll cap is part of my team’s Ten Year Economic Plan to lower costs, grow our economy and make Victoria the best place in the nation to do business.”
The Victorian proposal draws on the toll rebate system operating in New South Wales. NSW reduced its weekly cap from $60 to $50 from 6 July this year for a 12-month period, with motorists paying their tolls before claiming eligible expenditure above the cap through Service NSW. The NSW scheme is restricted to eligible personal trips in privately registered vehicles.
That makes the Victorian proposal wider in one respect, with light commercial vehicles and qualifying small-business fleets included.
Victoria currently has three toll roads, CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel, operated by private companies.
The Coalition is also promising a review of Victoria’s tolling arrangements, including the way toll notices are issued and the administration charges that can be added when motorists travel without an appropriate account or pass.
Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety Danny O’Brien said the cap would help households as well as workers who rely heavily on the road network.
“Our toll cap will bring down the cost of the daily commute or school drop-off, make it easier for families to plan their weekly budget and give tradies a massive boost,” O’Brien said.
“Under Labor, tolls are hurting household budgets, holding back our small businesses and can be the difference between a tradie taking another job or not.”
The proposal places toll costs among the Coalition’s cost-of-living policies ahead of the state election, while requiring the government to fund the difference between what eligible motorists pay toll-road operators and the $50 weekly threshold.
O’Brien said: “Only our Liberal and Nationals team has a plan to lower costs for families and businesses, boost productivity and economic activity and restore confidence to our state.”
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