Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Bills

North East Link Bill 2020

Introduction and first reading

Mr PALLAS (Werribee—Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (09:33): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to establish the North East Link State Tolling Corporation in relation to the North East Link road, to provide for the operation and maintenance of the North East Link road and the imposition and enforcement of tolls in relation to the North East Link road, to make related and consequential amendments to other acts and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

Ms STALEY (Ripon) (09:34): I ask for a brief explanation of this new tax.

Mr PALLAS: I will put aside the editorial comment and I will simply respond to the request for an explanation. The bill will facilitate tolling on the North East Link and it will establish the necessary toll enforcement regime. The government is introducing a new structure where a state tolling corporation (STC) will be responsible for fixing and collecting toll revenues for the North East Link. This provides the state with flexibility to financially benefit from the toll revenue and accommodate a range of potential toll revenue monetisation strategies should the state wish to realise value this way in the future. The legislation is required to establish the STC as a statutory corporation and to confer the relevant tolling powers and responsibilities.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read a second time tomorrow.