VicRoads registration and licensing system kept separate amid fears it could be sold off or leased

A major change to the state’s the registration and licensing agency is being debated and could impact how much motorists have to pay on their annual fees.

Vicroads staff are bracing for a major shake-up of the registration and licensing agency that could impact how much motorists have to pay on their annual fees.

Leaked documents obtained by the Herald Sun reveal the rego division continues to remain isolated from the Department of Transport after a major government-ordered restructure.

It has fuelled mounting fears the government is about to sell off or lease the service, with consultants called in to review how the private sector could be involved in the critical frontline agency.

The Australian Services Union has launched a major campaign against the move amid speculation registration payments will be pushed into the government’s new Services Victoria department.

Changes to VicRoads are on the cards. Picture: Mark Stewart

Under plans floated within the bureaucracy, registration and licensing would fall under the umbrella of a one-stop shop that handles most official permits.

It comes as the government reviews the rollout of another one-stop shop, Fines Victoria, after councils and courts were left without payments because of technical issues with the system.

ASU branch secretary Lisa Darmanin said a public-private partnership would hurt workers and create cost pressures for motorists.

“Selling VicRoads is bad for motorists – prices always increase more when services are privatised,” she said.

“The Australian Services Union has written to ALP branches right across Victoria about our concern with the sale of VicRoads and we’ve received a great response.”

“Now Labor branches in metro Melbourne and regional Victoria are asking Premier Andrews to stop Treasurer Pallas from selling off VicRoads.”

But Mr Andrews last week said motorists could save money through a new arrangement.

“Savings from any change in the way VicRoads operates would of course be redirected to support (and) keeping motorists registration fees as low as they possibly can,” he said.

“We’re always looking for efficiencies we’re always looking to do better and do more with the current budget allocations we have.

MORE NEWS:

DESPERATE PUSH FOR BUSY SUNBURY ROAD UPGRADE

TRADERS FEAR LOSS OF SYDNEY RD CAR PARKS

VICROADS CHANGES TO HIT LOCAL JOBS

Mr Andrews said bushfires, coronavirus and other pressures had impacted the Budget but any private sector involvement would ensure privacy was protected.

“With land titles office changes we’ve been able to demonstrate that you can get that balance right,” he said.

In 2018, First State Super paid the state government $2.86 billion to operate Victoria’s land titles registry over 40 years.

[e-mail]