60pc rise for car licences rejected

LEGISLATORS yesterday rejected a proposal to raise levies on vehicle licences and driving licences by 60 per cent next year.

They asked the Government to work out a much lower rate of increase.

The Government said that levies needed to rise from $48 to $78 to help the victims of traffic accidents.

It proposed the levies would be raised by another 60 per cent in 1995.

But in a meeting of the bills committee studying the legislative amendment yesterday, legislators said the rise was unreasonable.

The Government said the increase was required to compensate for a reduction in its contribution to the Travel Accident Victims' Assistance Fund.