More drivers want new tax!
CANBERRA drivers are, apparently, so exasperated by the city’s clogged roads that support for a London-style congestion tax has risen significantly.
Almost one-quarter of Canberra drivers (22 per cent) say they now support such a charge, a rise of nine per cent in a year, according to research by the insurance company AAMI.
The company’s ACT manager John Crommie said road works brought about by the expansion of the airport, the inadequacies of the Gungahlin Drive Extension and general residential and commercial growth, may help explain the sharp rise in support for such a charge, as would growing community awareness of the effects of climate change.
“Over half of Canberra drivers (52 per cent) have changed the way they drive to reduce their fuel consumption and emissions, so it’s possible they might also support a congestion tax as a deterrent against car use for environmental reasons,” he said.

Fraud-free tickets
THE Government is introducing new, fraud-free parking tickets from Monday, August 4.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of forged paid parking tickets found on vehicles in ACT Government operated car parks,” says Attorney General Simon Corbell. “Tickets have been found to be altered after issue or produced by illegal means.
“This product will also allow parking officers to look at the ticket on display at any angle or height through the windscreen and clearly identify its validity.”