As an Australian citizen, I recently received a bill in the mail that shocked me. A single $3.40 toll bill had suddenly increased to $220.00, a price hike that seems unjustifiable and is causing undue financial stress on many Australians like myself.

In recent years, we have all experienced the rising cost of living with food prices, fuel costs, and utility bills increasing year by year. The general cost of living continues to rise daily and the last thing we need is to pay exorbitant prices to travel on roads which we have no other choice but to use.

Our cars already come with their own set of expenses - registration fees, insurance premiums and fuel costs - all necessary for our day-to-day lives. To add high toll charges on top of these existing expenses feels like an unfair burden being placed on us by our own government.

According to the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), Australians are spending up to $22 billion per annum on tolls (2018). This is a significant amount considering that many households are already struggling with their finances due to the increasing cost of living.

We urge the Australian government and relevant authorities to reconsider this policy. We need fairer road pricing by removing all toll road charges so that it does not disproportionately affect those who can least afford it.

Please sign this petition if you believe in making travel more affordable for all Australians by abolishing unjust toll road costs.