Wrong number: Text message accidentally reveals Labor considering $40 cap on road tolls

September 4, 2026 — 8:59amLabor is canvassing a $40 weekly cap on road tolls in an attempt to outbid the Coalition’s state election pledge to cash-strapped motorists and tradies.But party strategists have been left red-faced at how news of the would-be policy leaked, in what appears to be the first major communications glitch of this year’s election campaign.Premier Ben Carroll has promised a new direction for Victoria.Chris HopkinsThe Age was alerted to the unannounced sweetener when newsroom staff received an unsolicited text from a New Zealand-based market research firm with strong ALP links, Community Engagement.The survey asks the recipient which party they intend to vote for at the November 28 election. Depending on the response, the survey then plays one of a selection of short videos designed to convince the recipient to switch to Labor.The video spruiks a series of policies already announced or implemented by Carroll, including the establishment of a royal commission into the construction industry, making Victorian school teachers the best paid in Australia, reopening police stations, recruiting 1500 additional police, keeping public transport half price and fixing potholes.However, the video goes on to promise that a re-elected Carroll government will cap tolls at $40 a week – a policy not publicly committed to or announced by Labor.The video also flags “keeping” public transport fares at half price, a policy due to expire in the new year.Three government sources contacted by The Age did not appear to know about the video, which raises the prospect that it was testing potential policy announcements for the party’s election campaign that may not have yet been agreed upon.Victorian Labor declined to comment when asked about the video and poll.As a suite of policies, the promises bear a striking resemblance to what the Coalition has also pledged, with a royal commission, fixing potholes, more police, re-opened police stations and a $50 a week cap on tolls all prominently announced by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson.Motorists in the West Gate Tunnel. Labor is canvassing Labor is canvassing a $40 weekly cap on road tolls.While mimicry is said to be the sincerest form of flattery, the Liberal and National parties are nonplussed at the copycat campaign taking shape.“This is a desperate government copying Jess Wilson’s policies because they are devoid of an agenda and too embarrassed to sell their own legacy,” an opposition spokesperson said.The Coalition’s proposed cap on tolls, which would enable heavy users of CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel to claim back up to $3000 a year, was announced three weeks ago. The policy is costed at $90 million a year and represents a boon for Transurban, the ASX-listed operator of all three roads.Setting the cap at $40 a week would increase the cost to government, which under the policy, uses public funds to reimburse motorists who spend above the weekly cap.The pollster behind the video, Community Engagement, has been contacted for comment.The firm has previously performed work for Labor in Australia. Its owners, Eric Goddard and Ella Hardy, have also been involved in the New Zealand Labour Party.The other half of the video tests attack messages against the Coalition and One Nation.Two versions of the video, seen by The Age, allege the Coalition won’t be able to govern with One Nation and accuse Warren Pickering, the Victorian leader of Pauline Hanson’s party, of wanting to criminalise abortion.One of these versions, which The Age chose not to publish, also accuses identifiable One Nation candidates of engaging in domestic violence and criticises the party for hiring a convicted rapist to run its campaign. This is a reference to the previous employment of Sean Black at Hanson’s national headquarters.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.From our partners