Ben Fordham demands new Premier Dominic Perrottet ease cost of tolls

The new NSW Premier is already facing pressure from one of Sydney’s most influential voices.

Radio shock jock Ben Fordham has delivered a direct warning to freshly appointed Premier Dominic Perrottet, demanding the NSW leader reduce the cost of Sydney’s tolls or face election annihilation.

Mr Perrottet was only sworn into the role earlier this week after replacing Gladys Berejiklian, but the 2GB star has already warned he faces being “driven out of town at the next election” if he doesn’t ease commuter expenses.

“Make this a priority,” Fordham said, citing recent data that showed western Sydney motorists were paying more than $9000 a year on tolls.

He said the cost was also crippling for commuters using the Lane Cove Tunnel, Harbour Bridge and Eastern Distributor, an issue regularly flagged by Opposition Leader Chris Minns.

The new leader is already facing pressure from shock jock Ben Fordham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

“Premier Dominic Perrottet needs to listen up because, Premier, if you don’t do something about tolls, you’ll be driven out of town at the next election,” the radio host said.

“Chris Minns knows people in western Sydney are in big trouble – how many people are nodding in agreement right now? Stuck in traffic bumper-to-bumper. Toll prices went up again at the start of October.”

Truck drivers are paying about $20,000 to travel on roads across the city, according to Fordham, forcing many to avoid the tolls and clog suburban streets.

“If it was any other service, you’d be going to consumer affairs and demanding a refund,” he told listeners.

“Chris Minns knows there’s votes in this and the current offer of toll relief isn’t enough.

“Yes, we know that you can get car registration discounts if you spend $1400 a year or more — your rego’s free, but that’s not enough. It doesn’t cover $9000 worth of tolls.”