NSW: E-tag confusion shows Rees govt's "policy on the run" - Gay

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2008
NSW: E-tag confusion shows Rees govt's "policy on the run" - Gay

SYDNEY, Dec 2 AAP - The NSW government's shifting position on e-tag deposits proves
it is making policy on the run, Deputy Opposition Leader Duncan Gay says.

Premier Nathan Rees on Monday defended the $40 security deposit required to obtain
an electronic tag for local tollways.

However, Roads Minister Michael Daley announced later the same day the Roads and Traffic
Authority would soon introduce a no-deposit e-tag.

Questioned on Tuesday morning, Mr Daley admitted he had not spoken to Mr Rees about
the new policy.

"Did you talk to the premier about this issue and have you had your knuckles rapped
this morning for not going to talk to him?" Mr Daley was asked on the Macquarie Radio
Network.

"No and no," Mr Daley said.

But Mr Gay said the breakdown in communication between Mr Rees and Mr Daley was "very
disturbing" for the people of NSW.

"The roads minister is a senior minister in cabinet and for him and the premier not
to know what was happening is not acceptable," Mr Gay told reporters in Sydney.

"It says it's a government in disarray, the fact that the premier and roads minister
are not talking on such a vital issue.

"It certainly does suggest to me that this is policy on the run."

Mr Rees denied his government had backflipped on the issue.

"I wouldn't call it that," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"What I would say is that it's about providing more options.

"The minister has gone away and worked on another option, the details of which should
be available later this week."

AAP bsb/wjf/jl

KEYWORD: TAGS

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