The Australian Greens have launched a plan to deliver 50 cent public transport fares across the country, taking the Queensland experience national, in a bid to tackle the skyrocketing cost-of-living and save households thousands.
Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP will make the announcement today at a pre-poll booth for the Prahran by-election, alongside Australian Greens’ spokesperson for transport Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Greens’ Prahran candidate Angelica Di Camillo.
The plan would see a full-time worker in Melbourne save $50 a week, or $2,400 a year.
In Sydney a full-time worker would save $2,160 a year, in Perth $2,006, and in Adelaide $1,872.
An independent costing by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) reveals it would cost the federal government $8.1 billion dollars over the forward estimates.
This money would be used to fund the lost ticket revenue from introducing the 50 cent fares.
The Greens’ plan includes a one-off $250 million-dollar fund to help states and territories transition to ‘smart ticketing’, allowing people to pay for public transport using their credit or debit card, or their phone.
Under sustained pressure from the Greens, the Queensland Government recently shifted to 50c public transport fares.
With a minority parliament looming, the announcement is the latest in the series of the Greens’ ‘Robin Hood reforms’ that will be put on the table in any post-election negotiations, and will be funded by making big corporations pay their fair share of tax.
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
”The Greens will make big corporations and billionaires pay tax so you can have 50c fares.
“In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics. 50c fares will help people make ends meet.
“We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. This election will be the most important in a generation. By electing more Greens we can keep Peter Dutton out and get Labor to act on the cost-of-living crisis.
“With poll after poll indicating we’re headed towards a minority parliament, if people vote Greens we can get cost-of-living relief like 50c fares.
“Greens pressure got 50c fares in Queensland, and now we want it for everyone.
“The major parties can’t say it’s impossible, because it’s happening right now in Queensland.”
Australian Greens transport spokesperson, Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP:
“The average household is spending almost $450 a week on transport, meanwhile Australia’s billionaires are making $67,000 an hour.
“After years of Greens pressure, Queensland has 50c fares for good. Now we’re fighting to roll this out nationwide.
“Queensland’s recent shift to 50c fares has been proven to be a huge success. It has reduced traffic and emissions, massively increased ridership on public transport, and saved Queenslanders millions.
“Now it’s time to roll out 50c fares across the country. If it’s good enough for both Queensland Labor and LNP, surely it’s good enough for Federal Labor.”
Greens candidate for Prahran, Angelica Di Camillo:
“Melbourne residents have copped three fare increases in the last 18 months alone, and have some of the most expensive public transport in the world.
“But under the Greens’ plan to make public transport 50 cents nationwide, Melbourne households could save almost $5,000 a year.
“I catch the 78 tram every week along Chapel street to get to Pilates or Prahran market, and the cost absolutely adds up.
“50-cent fares would provide much-needed cost-of-living relief to people across Prahran.”