General News
3 April, 2025
Dyson unimpressed with Coalition’s big pitch
INDEPENDENT candidate for Wannon Alex Dyson has slammed the Coalition’s proposed cut to fuel excise as a short-sighted attempt to win votes which will mean even less money for south west roads.
Liberal leader Peter Dutton last week announced he would cut the fuel excise in half for a one-year period if elected, at an expected cost of $6 billion, in a move the Coalition has said will save the average driver around $700 for the year.
But the announcement drew criticism from Independent candidate Alex Dyson, who said drivers would ultimately pay the price through the continued deterioration of roads.
“The Liberal Party wants to halve federal fuel excise for one year, which makes no sense,” he said.
“This is the tax that helps pay for our road infrastructure, including fixing the potholes we have to dodge every day around our region.
“The fuel excise contributed $15.71 billion to the federal budget in 2023-24, with only 57 per cent of funds going to improving roads.
“After 15 years of promising to fix Wannon’s roads, now Dan Tehan and the Liberal Party want to cut money available for fixing roads in half.
“We need more investment in our roads, not less.”
Mr Dyson said the announcement was designed to win votes with a face-value promise of savings, but regional Australians would continue to have to deal with the cost of bad roads.
“This is short-term thinking from the Liberal Party – intent on winning votes in marginal seats in the big cities, rather than listening to rural and regional Australians,” he said.
“We don’t have to choose between cost of living relief and fixing our dangerous roads. I’ve outlined my own policies to tackle cost of living pressures by cracking down on price-gouging and bringing down energy bills.”
Mr Dyson said he would push for more funds raised through the fuel excise to be put back in to repairing regional roads – backing the long-term push from the Australian Automobile Association, which includes members like RACV.
“It’s time to end the neglect here in Wannon,” he said.
“Unlike Dan Tehan I will answer to locals as an independent, not to a party – and fixing our roads is my top priority.
“No matter who forms government, I will fight every day for the funding our region deserves and can work with other rural and regional independents like Bob Katter and Helen Haines to hold them to account.”