Abstract
Over 97 per cent of passenger travel and some 77 per cent of domestic freight takes place on the road network. Yet it is the motor car which is the dominant vehicle mode, not only for private travel but also for all transport. The road user pays $ 6.500 million in federal fuel taxes alone this last financial year. These fuel taxes account for 9 per cent of federal government revenue but spending on roads accounts for only 1.6 per cent of federal government outlays. It is clear that motorists view roads as essential and necessary to their (and the nation's) wellbeing but believe that the government has not been honest in their approach to the funding of roads.