NSW Labor is today committing to keep the Western Harbour Tunnel 100 per cent in public hands, because under Labor there will be no more privatisation.
 

Dominic Perrottet’s $50 billion budget black hole places the Western Harbour Tunnel along with other state assets at risk of being sold by the NSW Liberals and Nationals. 
 

Labor is calling on Dominic Perrottet to be upfront to the people of NSW about what his plans are.
 

Liberals’ record of privatising roads

Dominic Perrottet’s favourite line is that “past performance is the best indicator of future performance.” Perrottet’s past performance on toll road sell-offs is clear. Under the Liberals: 

• Perrottet ruled out privatising the WestConnex project before the 2019 election, then immediately began the process of selling it off afterwards.
• Westconnex cost $21 billion to build, but was only sold for $20 billion, and will lead to decades of lost toll revenue: over $50 billion on Westconnex roads alone, plus another $20 billion for the M5 Southwest. (Labor modelling)
• Drivers now have to pay $115 billion in tolls – nearly all of it to private toll road operators – making Sydney the most tolled city on Earth.
• The NSW Government has paid close to a billion dollars in toll relief to people using privatised toll roads – effectively handing that money to private companies.
• Some roads have been paid off multiple times over from toll revenue:
  • M4 – paid off six times
  • M5 East and M8 – paid off four times
  • M5 East on its own – paid off eight times
  • Northconnex – paid off three times

Further motorway privatisation would expose Sydney drivers to further soaring private toll charges – with commuters already paying $115 billion over the life of existing contracts.
 

A fresh start for road users under Labor 

A Minns Labor Government will keep public assets in public hands and cap tolls for motorists across NSW at $60 per week.
 

Labor will follow the example of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and keep this asset in public hands, with toll revenue being returned to the people of NSW through investment in healthcare, education, public transport and roads – rather than being handed over to a privately owned toll road monopoly.
 

This is in stark contrast to the Liberal Government’s record on tolls. Privatised roads – which have been paid off multiple times over – continuing to charge sky-high tolls.
 

Unfortunately for the people of NSW, the NSW Liberal and Nationals have no choice but to sell off more public assets to fund this giant budget black hole. 
 

Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor leader:
 

“Under Labor – no more privatisation. We’ll build the tunnel, but we won’t sell it.”
 

“Any revenue from tolls goes straight back into public hands to build for the future.” 
 

“We’ve seen the effects of privatisation – higher tolls, higher electricity prices.”
 

“The only way to stop more privatisation is to vote for Labor.”
 

Quotes attributable to John Graham, NSW Shadow Minister for Roads:
 

“We have serious questions about the $115 billion toll bill that Dominic Perrottet has signed drivers up to.”
  “Along with our $60 toll cap this is a part of our plan to ease costs on drivers.”

CHRIS MINNS
NSW LABOR LEADER

JOHN GRAHAM
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR ROADS