After repeatedly denying the cost of public transport was an issue, and saying there was nothing the government could do in this important space, Michael Ferguson has finally acknowledged a better approach is possible with his promise to halve the cost of bus and ferry fares.
The Greens have been fighting hard for action on the cost of public transport throughout the last term of Parliament, and by continuing to campaign on this issue we’ve pushed the Liberals into a space they never wanted to be – taking action on fare prices.
While this announcement is a big step forward – a step that wouldn’t have happened without the Greens – it also doesn’t go far enough, and we need to see both major parties commit to making public transport completely free.
Much of the benefit of making public transport free is ease of access, faster boarding times, and reduced conflict with bus drivers over fares. While halving costs is great, with the Greens in balance of power we will be fighting to go the whole way and making it free, rather than pursuing half-measures
The interesting thing about this new announcement is that it completely contradicts statements Michael Ferguson made just a few months ago. During debate on a Greens proposal to make public transport free, he said:
“If we did what the Greens are proposing, you would be withdrawing finances out of public transport… any initiative in this space from the Greens will lead to a direct withdrawal of finances from public transport in Tasmania. That is not a recipe for route expansion, park and ride, or better innovation occurring in public transport, which is what this Government stands for.”*
Well, going by Michael Ferguson’s logic, with his new announcement he’s just halved the amount of funding available for public transport investment in Tasmania. Of course this logic just never made sense, as the Treasurer has now admitted.
Now that Michael Ferguson has accepted the cost of transport is a real issue, and admitted that government investment can replace fare revenue, the question is why doesn’t he now just take the obvious next step by making public transport free?
*Question Time – 13 September 2023
