The ACT Greens have written to the Chief Minister, advocating for urgent cost-of-living relief and long-term investment in the 2026-27 Budget.
This will be critical to shielding Canberrans from surging fuel and food costs, while preparing our city to withstand the crises ahead.
The key measures proposed:
1. Targeted support for low-income households, including reinstating programs to help switch to electric appliances and vehicles.
2. Financial incentives for e-bikes and e-scooters to help people transition to cheaper, cleaner transport.
3. Free public transport for the duration of the crisis to ease cost-of-living pressures and reduce reliance on expensive fuel.
4. Stronger tax settings to encourage low and zero-emissions vehicles.
5. Faster investment in electric buses and light rail expansion, to help us grow a better and more frequent public transport network.
6. Accelerated transition to all-electric homes and a phase-out of the fossil fuel gas network
Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport will be introducing a motion to the Assembly on Tuesday to help Canberrans make the switch to cheaper and greener transport options in a fuel crisis.
As stated by Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport:
"Canberrans are feeling the pressure, at the bowser, and in the supermarket and desperately looking for any way to reduce their household costs.
"Public transport, EVs and e-bikes offer a clear, cheaper alternative to fuel-hungry cars. This crisis is already pushing many people to make the switch, and motion aims to support those who need help to do so.
"The Government needs to step up and support people to make this transition to cleaner, greener and cheaper transport.
"People are crying out for affordable alternatives, but what we're seeing instead is hesitation and timidness from Labor, both in delivering immediate relief and in committing to long-term solutions.
"Right now, the system is fundamentally broken. When people can't afford the basics and aren't given real alternatives, it's everyday households who pay the price.
"But it doesn't have to be this way. The Greens have practical, cost-effective solutions ready to deliver real relief to households across the ACT. Labor just needs to say yes.
"With the Budget coming up in June, there's a real opportunity to deliver immediate relief while investing in long-term solutions that set Canberra up for the future, no matter what it holds."
As stated by Jo Clay, Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens:
"The Budget should send a clear signal: the future is zero emissions, and our policies need to back that in.
"This crisis won't be the last. The real question is whether we use this moment to make it easy for every household to phase out fossil fuels - in their homes and their transport - because that's how we protect Canberrans from future shocks.
"Canberrans deserve better than short-term band-aids. They deserve a government willing to deliver lasting solutions that protect them from crisis after crisis."
