THE FEDERAL government has rejected proposals for it to build 90 rest areas for truck drivers in return for ramping up the road user charge.
According to the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), the rejection of the proposal was disappointing. However it pointed out it was successful in focusing the government’s attention on the importance of truck rest areas.
The Opposition’s proposition, based on the ATA model, was also rejected. The Coalition had wanted 50 rest areas built a year, and for Infrastructure Australia to audit the number constructed.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese claims the government is already committed to building more facilities, so there was no need to link rest area construction to increases in excises.
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