Protest convoy on the road again
Truck drivers from around the Auckland region have hit the roads for a second time to protest the fuel tax.
On October 15, truckies drove into Auckland’s inner city in convoy, and a month later they did it again.
They took to the motorway from both the North Shore and West Auckland at 7am yesterday, driving in convoy to Parnell Rise in the central city.
RNB Transport Ltd owner Rob Ryan said up to 150 trucks were involved – more than last time.
Auckland’s regional fuel tax had taken a big toll on his business, Ryan said. ‘‘It’s affecting me and everybody I deal with; it creates poverty and it doesn’t help anybody. We just have to say enough is enough.’’
The public response to the protests had been positive, Ryan said.
‘‘They’re behind us and a lot of people support us even if they can’t take part in the convoy due to work commitments.’’
Ryan said he was planning a convoy protest every month until the Labour Government acknowledged them.
‘‘No-one is standing up for us and I’m sick of sitting around and waiting for someone to do something, we just want the fuel tax gone.’’
In last month’s protest near to 100 trucks headed along the northern motorway, southbound and parked up in the central city for 20 minutes before being asked to move on by police.
Petrol prices have hit record highs this year, following the Government’s latest 3.5c excise tax increase and the imposition of the Auckland Council’s 11.5c regional fuel tax. The impact of the taxes on prices has been compounded in recent weeks by a rise in the price of oil and a fall in the New Zealand dollar.