The Canberra Liberals will today move a motion calling on the Labor-Greens government to reduce the amount of working days Roads ACT has to assess applications for pothole-related vehicle damage claims from 60 to 30 days and upon exceeding those 30 days, introduce that interest will be accrued on individual claims.

Shadow Minister for City Services Nicole Lawder said that these changes will ensure that deadlines are met and that the government is motivated to provide safe roads for Canberrans to access.

“Last year the number of pothole-related vehicle damage claims submitted to the ACT Government skyrocketed, as too did the amount of ratepayers’ money spent by the government on the reimbursement of successful claims,” Ms Lawder said.

“I know residents that have been waiting since October for reimbursement. The latest figures we have show that an average claim paid by the government is $767.86.

“For a lot of households, that represents a lot of money that they’ve had to fork out to get their vehicle fixed because of the poor quality of ACT roads. It’s money they’ve been out of pocket for, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis because their government fails to maintain the roads.

“If you don’t pay your rates notice on time, your charged interest. What we’re suggesting of the government is exactly what the government expects of residents. The same rules should apply on both ends.

“Vehicles are getting damaged because of the poor quality of ACT roads, the least this government can do is ensure that successful applicants are having their claims paid out on time.

“If Labor and the Greens don’t want to pay interest, then they should meet their own deadlines or consider providing residents with safe roads as is their basic governmental responsibility.” Ms Lawder concluded.