Wednesday, 25 May 2016

The member for Bundaberg and her Labor Government has voted against a measure to tie family car registration increases to the inflation rate, instead standing by its unfair price hike of 3.5 per cent.

Mr Bennett said the move showed how out of touch the Labor member and her government was with families struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.

“The LNP moved for the Parliament to direct the government to keep their car rego increase to the inflation rate, rather than the 3.5 per cent – or double the inflation rate – increase budgeted, but the member for Bundaberg and her Labor government opposed the move,” Mr Bennett said.

“This marks another broken promise from the member for Bundaberg and her government who told Queenslanders during the election that they would not increase fees, charges or taxes.

“This Palaszczuk Labor Government is asleep at the wheel and has no plan to get the cost of living under control. This Government only plans is to squeeze more money out of Queenslanders, with the member for Bundaberg’s full support.

“The Member for Bundaberg has let local motorists down.”

Mr Bennett said the LNP had the track record of keeping costs low for Queensland families.

“Under the last four years of the Bligh Labor Government, car registration increased by 30 per cent – that’s why the LNP froze car rego for the term of our government,” he said.

“We know running the family car is expensive and we are committed to keeping rego increases for the family vehicle to the inflation rate so Queenslanders get a fair go.

“Queenslanders are sick and tired of Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor treating motorists as cash cows.”

Key facts:
• The current inflation rate (consumer price index or CPI) for the March quarter is 1.7%.
• LNP previously froze family car rego for three years after huge increases under the Bligh Labor Government.
• The LNP Opposition has committed to keep rego increases to the CPI rate while the Palaszczuk Labor Government increased rego by 3.5% in 2015 and will again in 2016.

ENDS