Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Transport spokesperson
While five weeks of free bus travel is a good start, it’s shouldn’t end in April. Public transport should be free in perpetuity – full stop.
Putin’s invasion of democratic Ukraine is driving up petrol prices for Tasmanians, and many people are struggling with the cost. Free public transport will help, but it shouldn’t stop after five weeks.
Do the Liberals think everything will be back to normal in Russia by April? We know the rapidly rising cost of living won’t have dropped dramatically, nor will the climate crisis.
Free public transport is sensible, responsible climate and people-focussed policy. That’s why the Greens have long campaigned for free public transport, and included it our Alternative Budgets.
We know it won’t cost the Budget that much. It’s simply about priorities.
Free public transport in perpetuity could be funded, for example, by ending the subsidies to the cruel racing industry.
We urge the Liberals to put people first, and commit to ongoing free public transport.