Labor MP accuses Dom Perrottet of trying to hide $180m toll hike

The cost of soaring road tolls in one state is staggering as Aussies battle a cost of living crisis.

A Labor MP has questioned the record price hikes on Sydney’s roads as the latest data reveals drivers paid an extra $180m in tolls in the last year.

Private toll operator Transurban released its half-year results on Tuesday and road revenue was up by almost 60 per cent.

“Tolls have never been this high,” NSW opposition roads spokesman John Graham said.

Toll revenue has spiked by $180m in the last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“Sydney was already the most tolled city in the world. Today that situation got worse as these results reveal that record inflation and record toll traffic have driven record toll revenue.”

Toll revenue from the M4 motorway has increased 44 per cent from $120m to $173m, while the M8 and M5 East rose by 54 per cent, from $88m to $136m.

Northconnex has gone up by 55 per cent, from $52m to $80m, and on the M5 West, toll revenue has climbed 43 per cent, from $118m to $169m.

Mr Graham claims the privatisation of toll roads under the Perrottet government has led to the record tolls.

“This is a problem of the government’s own making – they have signed secret contracts and privatised toll roads,” he said.

Toll revenue from the M4 motorway has soared by $53m. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Graham is calling for reform and the state government’s full toll review to be released to the public.

“Toll reform is needed in Sydney, but the Premier seems to have given up, instead hiding the toll review until after the election,” he said.

“It should be released immediately.”

The half-year market briefing also suggests that future toll road privatisations are possible on the M6, Western Harbour Tunnel, Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.

NSW Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward responded to the criticism, saying “increased traffic on Sydney roads is irrefutable proof the economy is bouncing back following the pandemic”.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward has asked Labor to present its own toll relief policy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Bullard

“It demonstrates drivers are choosing to use these major infrastructure projects because it gives them more time to spend with those they love,” she said.

“These are transformative projects which Labor has opposed every step of the way.”

Ms Ward said Labor had yet to reveal its toll relief policy.

“Labor’s only policy on toll relief so far has been to adopt our toll rebate scheme which is putting up to $750 back in the pockets of Sydney drivers,” she said.

Transurban chief executive Scott Charlton also put the increased revenue down to the increased value of and therefore traffic on the city’s toll roads.

“This result shows that our customers continue to recognise and see substantial value in our assets,” he said.

“What we see with record traffic numbers is that people still see a lot of value in toll roads.”