Tolls or more taxes: NSW Treasurer’s ultimatum for Sydney motorists
The NSW Treasurer has argued motorists grappling with expensive tolls have only one other choice – to pay more tax.
Matt Kean confirmed to Chris O’Keefe while the government has no intention of removing the Sydney Harbour Tunnel toll when the concession expires, “we will be tackling this issue as we head into the new year”.
Turning the tables on critics, he argued tolls and taxes are the only ways to fund more roads.
“I think it’s a very unfair characterisation … that taxpayers should always have to build the infrastructure.
“If they do it alone then that will come at the cost of schools and hospitals.”
Press PLAY below to watch his heated response
Despite today handing down the biggest budget deficit in NSW’s history, Mr Kean also assured major stamp duty reforms remain on the table.
While housing affordability remains an urgent challenge, the Treasurer appealed to his federal counterparts to provide “financial incentives” in reward for the expensive overhaul.
“My concern is that we’re having a two-tiered economy … we’ve got a whole generation, many of your listeners’ kids, that are locked out of the property market.
“One of the big levels we can pull is addressing the inefficient tax of stamp duty.”
Press PLAY below to hear the full interview