Re: Good News for Rail Fuel taxes

[mauried@commslab.gov.au (Maurie Daly)]

In article <7inale$1h3$1@news1.mpx.com.au> "Bill MIller" <backtran@optusnet.com.au> writes:
>From: "Bill MIller" <backtran@optusnet.com.au>
>Subject: Re: Good News for Rail Fuel taxes
>Date: Sat, 29 May 1999 09:56:03 +1000

>Unfortunately the original proposal was for rail to pay the same as trucks
>(the result they now apparently have), the rail industry was pushing for a
>100% reuduction in excise, since rail is an "off road" user of diesel, the
>excise being a road user charge. If true, this result is not good news (I
>did not hear the speech), it is very bad news, with Howard giving it a
>positive spin!


Yes , I heard the speech and it sounds like Bill suggests, that the fuel 
excise for heavy trucks and rail has been reduced , but is still the same , ie
rail still pays a road user charge, which if is the case , hasnt achieved 
anything.
If anything , this makes the playing field even less level , as road is a much 
greater user of diesel fuel than is rail , so a uniform reduction assists road 
more.
Why am I not surprised at any of this.

MD