Vic: More than 20,000 sign up against Scoresby toll

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Vic: More than 20,000 sign up against Scoresby toll

By Greg Rule

MELBOURNE, Aug 24 AAP - A petition with more than 20,000 signatures against tolls ona road to be built in Melbourne's east was based on a lack of understanding, the Victoriangovernment said today.

The petition against tolls on the Scoresby Freeway is expected to be tabled in thestate parliament this week in what Opposition Leader Robert Doyle today described as thebeginning of the end of the Bracks government.

Mr Doyle predicted Labor-held seats in Melbourne's east would tumble as residents ventedtheir anger in the next election in 2006.

In a backflip earlier this year, Premier Steve Bracks said the Scoresby road, partof the $1.8 billion Mitcham-Frankston Freeway, would be tolled.

Up to 10 marginal state seats would hinge on the Scoresby toll, according to Mr Doyle.

"All political cycles turn, as we know, and they will trace back their demise to thispolitical decision on Scoresby," he told AAP.

"This is the biggest issue in the eastern suburbs."

Transport Minister Peter Batchelor went on the defensive today, saying tolls wouldbe the only way the $890 million Scoresby project could be realised.

"We were elected on a position of acting responsibly financially," Mr Batchelor told reporters.

"We were elected to be responsible with the Budget and we will continue to do that.

"I can understand that people would rather have a freeway paid for by other people,but we can't do that at the same time keeping the budget in a financially responsibleway."

"I'm confident that people once they understand that the project is going ahead, beingbuilt in the quickest possible time, this will bring kudos to the government ...."

Mr Batchelor rejected claims the tolls would cost the government seats.

He said other routes would be available to those who did not want to pay.

The 40km Scoresby corridor is expected to be completed in 2008.

Motorists should know in the first half of next year how much they must pay to travelon the road, Mr Batchelor said.

AAP gfr/cjm/br

KEYWORD: SCORESBY NIGHTLEAD