Investigating the multi-billion-dollar company controlling Australia’s roads | Four Corners

Decades of deals between state governments and toll operators have left Australia’s biggest cities with a network of private roads that are worsening the cost-of-living crisis for millions of motorists. In this episode of Four Corners, reporter Pat McGrath investigates the near-monopoly held by toll giant Transurban in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. While taxpayers are racking up hundreds of thousands in debts and fines — facing prison if they fail to pay in Victoria — state governments are trying to claw back control of prices. Even senior figures in the industry are calling for change, raising the prospect of an end to the toll industry’s roads of gold. CHAPTERS 00:00: The multi-billion-dollar industry 03:05: Road Gold 03:45: Quitting a job because of toll roads 06:08: Transurban 07:00: Guaranteed toll increases 08:12: Over $80,000 in toll debts 11:30: Facing prison time 13:36: Toll fine crisis 15:58: $185,000 in toll fines 18:15: Crisis prevention 20:15: History of toll roads in Australia 21:13: Toll road price increase 25:26: Debts handed over to the state 26:00: Class action 29:25: Driving in Queensland 30:00: Postman’s experience 35:20: 20 per cent of income on tolls 36:10: Trucks on suburban roads 40:00: Contracts This episode was originally broadcast as ‘Road Gold’ on 21 October 2024 on ABC TV and ABC iview. Four Corners is Australia’s premier investigations documentary series. Follow Four Corners on Facebook: Subscribe to the Four Corners weekly newsletter: Find out more at the Four Corners website: Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated. #ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia #4Corners