The federal government has hiked the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge, a tax truck drivers pay for using roads, which is putting more pressure on their finances.

Labor also wants to increase the cost of diesel fuel to 32 cents per litre by 2025, which adds up along with the cost of tolls, insurance and registration that truck drivers are forced to pay.

Truck driver, Les, who carts containers off of Sydney’s wharves, believes he is a “cash cow” for the government, telling Ben Fordham “The more we do, the more they hit us with taxes.”

“I’m paying $1,000 a week in tolls…Go on the dole and you’ll get more money it seems,” said Les.

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