RURAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION SUBSIDY TO BE SCRAPPED

The Government is considering scrapping motor vehicle registration subsidies for country South Australians, resulting in extra costs for motorists, the Liberal Party has warned.

Liberal transport spokesman Robert Brokenshire said a delegation from the Provincial Cities Association of South Australia (PCA) had been warned by Transport Minister Pat Conlon that the subsidy could be cut if they continued to fight for the State Government to fully-fund regional bus services.

Mr Brokenshire said the intimidation tactic was unacceptable. “Country drivers are already paying record prices for petrol – much higher than people in the metropolitan area – and travel greater distances." he said. “Imposing an extra charge will further hurt all country families and individuals.”

Mr Brokenshire said the Liberal Party would stand-up for regional South Australians, and that a future Liberal government would not withdraw the subsidy, sayig that “The Liberal Party will wholeheartedly support the PCA in its attempts to have this plan overturned.”