Australia’s cheapest fares to be etched in stone under Labor Bill
- Queensland Labor Opposition
- Feb 20
- 2 min read
Steven Miles introduces Bill to legislate cap on public transport to 50c
Currently, fares can be rescinded and amended by regulation – without oversight of parliament
Petition launched urging LNP government to back Labor’s Bill
Queenslanders will be guaranteed 50 cent fares forever under new laws proposed by Labor Leader, Steven Miles.
The Bill, introduced to Parliament today, will cap the maximum fare to 50 cents per journey, and enshrine the nation's cheapest public transport fares into legislation.
A petition has also been launched by Labor urging the LNP Government to listen to Queenslanders who overwhelmingly back the move.
Labor led the nation last year announcing the initiative as a measure to tackle cost-of-living pressures and help reduce congestion on our busy roads.
It saw bus, train, ferry and light rail fares on the TransLink network and regional public transport system capped at 50 cents.
Across all modes of transport, patronage surged and helped put $181 million back in the pockets of Queenslanders at a time when households are feeling the crunch forcing the LNP to cave and match the commitment.
The LNP has done nothing to lock in the policy, allowing the Transport Minister to remove the cost-of-living measure at his discretion.
Opposition Leader Steven Miles said while a simple measure, legislating the fares would take any politics out of it and provide certainty to Queenslanders that 50c fares will not be removed, unless by a majority decision of elected MPs.
Quotes attributable to Opposition Leader Steven Miles:
“50 cent fares is one of the things I’ve been most proud of – and Queenslanders deserve to have it locked in forever.
“Still, Queenslanders are coming up to me telling me about how 50c fares saved them thousands on their daily commute, and how it’s encouraged the rest of their family to hop on board.
“If David Crisafulli is genuine in following Labor’s lead and making 50c fares permanent, then he’ll vote with us to make sure it’s etched forever in legislation.
“Otherwise, the reality is he can pull back on their commitment whenever they want. While I’d like to take them at their word that they’ll keep 50c fares permanent, their litany of broken promises makes it hard to believe.”
Quotes attributable to Shadow Transport Minister Bart Mellish:
“The numbers don’t lie when it comes to the success of Labor’s 50 cent fare policy, which is why it’s unsurprising the LNP is trying to claim it as its own.
“It led to an overwhelming increase in patronage across all modes of transport and huge savings for Queenslanders at a time they need it most.
“Currently there’s nothing to stop the LNP from raising the fares at any time and Queenslanders can’t be certain they won’t since a now-Minister has called the policy a “con-job.”
“If the LNP was serious about this policy, the would support the 50 cent fares forever bill.”
ENDS