Media Release from Leader of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro MLA and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gerard Maley MLA:
The CLP team will ease the rising cost of living pressures for Territorians by freezing car registration for 12 months and making all driver’s licenses free for a year.
The car rego fee freeze will apply to 150,000 cars and motorbikes while the free licences will benefit 163,000 license holders in the Territory.
The free license will be automatically applied as a credit on customer accounts with new licenses eligible for the 12 months free, if applied for before 30 June 2025.
As part of our plan to ease the cost of living, the CLP will also introduce a new three-year registration option for trailers under 750kg.
“The CLP will save Territorians time and money at the MVR. This means less time waiting in a queue and more time on the road enjoying our great outdoor lifestyle” said Leader of the Opposition Lia Finocchiaro.
“We’ve listened to Territorians and we know they are concerned about the rising cost of household bills and car registration is one of the biggest bills families have to face each year,” she said.
“Under Labor Territorians pay more. They’ve hiked up car registrations by around $100 over the past 8 years and are set to increase them further by another $10 on 1 July.
“The CLP will not increase costs for Territorians who are already struggling to pay the bills.
“We know every dollar counts.
“That’s why all Territorians will drive for free for one year under a CLP elected Government.”
Ms Finocchiaro said Territorians faced the highest car ownership costs in the country.
“Territorians are paying for Labor’s crime crisis,” she said.
“Thanks to daily thefts and break-ins, it is more expensive to own a car in the Territory than anywhere else in Australia.
“It costs $13,047 a year to run the family Prado in the Territory, which is $971 a year more than it would cost in South Australia.
“We know Territory families also have more than one vehicle so this is a huge expense they are forking out every year.”
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Gerard Maley, said 31,000 trailer owners will also benefit from the CLP’s MVR savings, with the new three-year registration option for trailers under 750kg, where there is currently only a 12-month option.
“For Territorians who own a trailer to tow their boat or caravan or head to the tip having to register it every year is frustrating and a waste of time,” he said.
“Now they’ll have the option to register their trailer every three years if they want to.”
The MVR cost of living relief package is expected to cost $4.2 million which will be funded from within current budgets.
