Road tax first caravans?

Izabarack · Guru

Road tax first caravans?

Ineedabiggerboat · Senior Member

Thats the first time Ive heard someone ask for a tax to be levied. Did I misread this post?

smwhiskey · Senior Member

Sounds like another thought bubble from the "Lets raise a tax because the budget is screwed, we hate caravans and we can't be bothered to actually think through the problem and come up with real solutions" people.

Fuel Excise, Registration, GST - nothing like getting double/triple/quadruple taxed for doing the same thing

DMaxer · Guru

The tax is already being applied to the tug through fuel levies and taxes.Towing a van or heavy trailer increases fuel usage so increases the revenue. An EV is not paying this levy.

Rodsvan · Veteran Member

There was some discussion years ago in some States (mainly Victoria I think) about a levy or tax for EV users. As Govts are trying to encourage the take-up of EVs, and environmental groups will oppose such a levy/tax the idea never got very far.

It seems as if these rumours keep going around in circles, sparking indignation each time they make the rounds again.
If someone can show that recent action/discussion has taken place taken on this issue I'll stand corrected (if it's credible). Otherwise I'll wait 6 months until this rumour makes the rounds again....

Magnarc · Guru

If state governments put back into roads the all the rego tax they collect, we would have well maintained roads. But they don't. They are too busy throwing money at their pet projects elsewhere.

A lot of the main roads here in Vic, are a bloody disgrace. Australia has three tiers of Government, the Feds, the States and the local councils all with their hands in our pockets. Taxation is necessary to keep the country running, no argument there so, that being the case, it amounts to the question of how much is too much?

'Tis my humble opinion that our tax burden is already high enough.

msg · Guru

ACT Rego is changing registration costs for light vehicles to "emissions based registration" so effectively vehicles that are heavier like Vans will be charged at a higher rate of rego than normal cars. At the moment the rate is the same for all vehicles up to 3500T. I suppose older cars that are not so fuel efficient will also fall under that. Don't know how much or anything about it, but I guess I'll find out next year when I renew.

Dick0 · Guru

Think Tanks are always working hard at identifying ways to raise revenue, even in Canberra!

smwhiskey · Senior Member

Dick0 wrote:
Think Tanks are always working hard at identifying ways to raise revenue, even in Canberra!

Must be really hard job pushing out the same recycled tunnel vision solution to every problem.

But it only shows how narrow minded the people making the decisions have become.

I firmly believe that theres a Simpsons quote appropriate for every occasion and in this case Ned Flanders parents have provided it...

"We've tried nothing and we're all out of ideas"

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

Izabarack wrote:
Apparently, a distance based Road User charge is to be phased in for EVs because those vehicles avoid petrol excise charges. Are we also going to see a similar charge applied to the use of caravans? In many cases the weight of a van exceeds the weight of the tug and its travel on the road causes damage. Following the argument for a special road maintenance charge for EVs, it would be fair to charge van owners for the distance the van travels on public roads. Thoughts?
if Govt is going to put a charge on my use of an EV because Im avoiding road tax, I want the standard applied all round.
If the all round solution includes bicycles you may get some suupport ....

dogbox · Guru

just read about some changes that come into effect from 18 of oct 2025 in regards to older drivers different rules for each state

msg · Guru

dogbox wrote:
just read about some changes that come into effect from 18 of oct 2025 in regards to older drivers different rules for each state

There has been some articles on UTube regarding this. I am not going to worry about it until I hear from my state's MV authority.

On another note, I am sick to death of all the granny bashing.

I would like to be treated like any other person not some special species that needs special rules, extra looking after and extra consideration.

I have managed to live and provide for myself for 60yrs plus take care of my family including my parents and anyone else that needed it. I think I can continue for a few more years yet.

I could go on and on and they wonder about high blood pressure. Everyone one would be better off without the scare tactics. It a wonder I haven't keeled over from all the upsets and worries they throw at us.

msg · Guru

Re above: This was a comment on MSN about an article about what the RBA Boss thinks about cash. (She believes that cash is necessary! or so she says)

The silly little person writing the article said "Cash is a must with so many people, especially older people., " Why especially older people.? This pizzes me off. So patronizing. Using older people to bolster their argument. How dare they. At least we can manage our money and don't spend it on foolish wants. (most of the time)

According to the young ones I have already outlived my "use by date" so I guess I come under the category of "older people" and It's not a must for me, in fact I can't remember the last time I needed cash. I have a little on hand enough for a tank of petrol and some groceries or some emergency when the systems go down.

That said, I do want to go buy a puppy and paying for it with cash would seem the safest option. If I travel 2 or 3 hundred K's to have a look at the puppy and if we get on then I will want to take it home there and then. I would not want to go home pay by direct debit or something and trust them to send the puppy at great cost here to me.(plane fares etc) or go and pick it up. So, I will go into the bank and brave all the questions and try to prove to them I know what I am doing. There are any number of reasons we might need cash, especially when travelling.

What I am thinking very seriously of doing is opening an account at another bank with a little in it so if my bank ever shuts me down I'll at least have access to some other money.

dogbox · Guru

Magnarc wrote:

If state governments put back into roads the all the rego tax they collect, we would have well maintained roads. But they don't. They are too busy throwing money at their pet projects elsewhere.
A lot of the main roads here in Vic, are a bloody disgrace. Australia has three tiers of Government, the Feds, the States and the local councils all with their hands in our pockets. Taxation is necessary to keep the country running, no argument there so, that being the case, it amounts to the question of how much is too much?
'Tis my humble opinion that our tax burden is already high enough.

think back to 3x3 that was supose to fix all the roads we could put a TAX on pushbikes they use the roads too

Possum3 · Guru

Yesterday I just paid my annual registrations and insurances for my tug and van totaling a tad over $4.7K - being a self-funded retiree isn't easy.

msg · Guru

9now.nine.com.au/today/more-older-australians-drowning-at-beaches-new-report-shows/b981c2af-00ca-420d-9926-e2e57342b25f

More older Australians drowning at the beach, new data shows

I guess they will make a new law making it mandatory for older Australians to wear floaties at the beach.