In line with Transurban Queensland recently increasing their toll charges and administration fees, Brisbane carriers have been forced to increase the road toll charges.

The new road toll charges from 1 July 2018 as per below:

Road Tolls (return)
Gateway $30.00
Kuraby $18.00
Kuraby and Stapylton $37.00

If you have any further queries regarding these new charges please feel free to contact our transport department on 1300 1 TOMAX.

The sub-sea search for 81 containers lost from the YM Efficiency via hydrographic survey vessel J.T Gowlland has commenced. J.T Gowlland belongs to the Port of Newcastle and has been chartered by insurers of the YM Efficiency. A spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said the search had been successful but poor weather meant the search was suspended on certain occasions. The spokesperson advised that the search has identified as many as 50 containers, either intact or in pieces on the sea floor. They expect search operations to be completed this week.

According to AMSA, data collected is being processed by the surveyors with the final verification expected at the end of next week.

The new Illicit Tobacco Taskforce aims to crack down on the $600m black market for illicit tobacco products.

The taskforce combines the capabilities of the Australian Border Force (ABF), Department of Home Affairs, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton has advised that the ABF-led taskforce would be proactively targeting, disrupting and dismantling illicit tobacco syndicates.

“We know this is a market dominated by organised crime groups who use their profits to fund more serious and insidious crimes that pose a threat to the Australian community,” Mr Dutton said. “By bringing together our Home Affairs agencies, with the ATO and CDPP we can better target the suppliers, the couriers and the ringleaders whether here or overseas.”

Revenue and Financial Services minister Kelly O’Dwyer said about $600m in tobacco duty was forgone in 2015-2016 due to the illicit tobacco market. “The ATO has already achieved strong results in disrupting the illicit tobacco market but there is more to do,” she said. “The Taskforce will further enhance the ATO’s ability to work with the ABF and other agencies to bring those criminals who seek to profit from the illegal tobacco trade to justice and return revenue to the Australian people.”

From 1 July 2018, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) may apply to goods with a customs value of $1,000 or less when imported from overseas by consumers in Australia.

Businesses including merchants, electronic distribution platform operators and re-deliverers that meet GST registration requirements will be required to charge and collect GST at the point of sale on eligible goods with a customs value of $1,000 or less. There will be no changes to border clearance processes or to the flow of goods across the border. The existing processes to collect GST on imports above $1,000 at the border remain unchanged.

Here are a couple of laughs to ease you into the weekend.

What sits at the bottom of the sea and twitches?
A nervous wreck.

How does Moses make tea?
He brews.

A man tells his doctor "help Doc, I'm addicted to Twitter!"
The Doctor replies, "sorry, I don't follow you."

What do you call a parade of rabbits hopping backwards?
A receding hare-line.

How do you make a tissue dance?
Put a little boogie in it.

What did the shark say when he ate the clownfish?
This tastes a little funny.