Labor promises no more tolls in road 'nationalisation' policy

^{BY EMERITUS PROFESSOR\} JAMES JAMESONSON)

LABOR have announced their first policy after the ascension of Senator u/dyljam to the party's leadership, pledging to 'nationalise' toll roads in the country, claiming the move a 'win' for families and small business operators.

Speaking in a media release, the Labor leader said that toll roads cost some families 'over $10,000 annually' and will save families 'thousands of dollars every year'. The party has yet to release costings or a timeframe of when such action may occur.

In a statement to National Review, u/dyljam said that such a move to abolish road tolls was 'necessary' and something had to happen 'sooner or later'.

'Road tolls have been soaring through the roof, so much so that some families in western Sydney pay $10,000 every year in road tolls alone.'

'Now, that is not sustainable. This is neoliberalism on steroids and at some point the government will have to step in to protect hard-working Australian families and small business owners from these egregious charges from using roads.'

The policy has received mixed reviews, with only the Greens formally coming out in support of the policy.

Greens co-leader u/model-kyosanto, long tipped to have aspirations for the prime ministership, tweeted on Saturday evening that 'I support Dyljam’s plan for toll road nationalisation. Common sense and necessary for the back pocket of everyday Australians.'

The Country party did not explicitly oppose the policy, although party leader u/Gregor_The_Beggar tweeted 'The Federal Government does not control tolls and the contracts surrounding tolls is a state matter. I'd advise you go knocking on the door of the New South Wales Government over the toll issue in Western Sydney.'

While the authority of the federal government to make laws regarding toll roads is unclear, National Review understands that the constitutional amendment relating to transport, which is due to head to a referendum in the coming weeks, could allow the federal government to implement such a policy.

When asked what Labor would do if the referendum failed, u/dyljam replied 'it won't'. NR

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^\POSITION REVOKED PENDING TRIAL IN THE ICC)