Annual Report - Australian Automobile Association

cooperation in a range of areas, fromadministration services to the provision ofnational member benefits.One of AAA’s main tasks is to advocate onthe behalf of all constituents to ensure ourmembers are not disadvantaged by theactions of the Federal Government. We weredisturbed last year by inappropriatechanges made to fuel excise as a result ofthe introduction of the GST nationally.A pleasing outcome of the AAA efforts, afteran extensive campaign with all constituents,and others in the community, was theFederal Government’s decision to reduceexcise by 1.5 cents per litre. This wascombined with an end to automatic exciseincreases on petrol and the announcementof an inquiry into fuel taxation, heralding thechance of real reform in this difficult area.I was pleased to have the opportunity todiscuss the outcome with the Prime Minister.Savings for all fuel users over the next threeyears will amount to over $3bn.We have been well served by our high qualitystaff and the excellence of their efforts hascontributed greatly to the successes of the year.The FutureNew information services, new engine andfuel technologies, new methods of roadfunding and management as well as newopportunities for improved interactionbetween transport methods have the potentialto improve motoring and travel generally.The challenges for the AAA over the nexttwelve months will be to continue toadvocate for fuel tax reform and reformof the way we manage and fund ourtransport infrastructure.A new Federal Government will be electedlater in the year and irrespective of thepolitical outcome we will need to ensure thatall new members and Ministers understandthe needs of our organisations.In my view we must work to develop anational transport scenario for Australia.History shows us we have not learnt fromthe past, that our land transport systemsremain basically disjointed and parochial,to the detriment of us all.Equally our club systems and services willbenefit from increasing cooperative effortsand I believe we are well on the path toachieve significant results.We will be able to enhance our coremotoring–related services as well asdevelop further membership products.I do not expect that it will be all milk andhoney, but we certainly do not have to fearthe dragons.4