The ACT Greens have said the recent fuel crisis has exposed a hard truth: Labor's years of tinkering policy and short-term thinking have left Canberra without real alternatives to expensive petrol-fuelled cars.
Decades of short-term thinking and piecemeal policy have left Canberra with a public transport system that cannot meet demand - forcing more people into cars, driving up congestion, emissions and household transport budgets.
This was abundantly clear when fuel supply became precarious and prices increased - a situation that we could be faced with again in the near future as the world adjusts to the continued closure of the Straits of Hormuz.
The Greens have consistently called for a strategic, long-term approach to planning and investment in transport options. From a city-wide light rail network, linked with a large fleet of electric buses, to more incentives for people to ride e-bikes or purchase an EV - we need options that don't lock everyone into expensive private petrol vehicles.
With global instability contributing to soaring fuel prices, the Government must look beyond short-term policy and deliver structural change and investment that reduces Canberrans' reliance on expensive, polluting vehicles and delivers real cost of living relief.
As stated by Andrew Braddock, ACT Greens spokesperson for Transport:
"We cannot afford for Labor to keep tinkering around the edges every time a crisis hits. That approach locks Canberrans into an endless cycle of problems without delivering real solutions.
"Short term fixes, limited trials and half-measures fail to address structural issues.
"ACT Labor committed on the floor of the Legislative Assembly to deliver free public transport for students, seniors and concession card holders. Targeted, genuine, long-term cost of living support to Canberrans who need it most.
"Instead, Labor are trialling gimmicks like fare-free Friday and Saturday night - which do little to drive behaviour change. People heading out on the town on a Friday and Saturday are generally more concerned about whether there is a bus home to catch rather than whether it is free.
"For decades, Labor has underinvested in its bus fleet, to the point that Canberra now has fewer buses today than it did in 1990. That is unacceptable and reflects a complacent approach from this Government. That complacency must end.
"Canberra desperately needs more clean, reliable public transport. World-class cities are built on strong public transport systems, and ours is nowhere near where it needs to be.
"It's expensive to own and run a car - but the reality is that for a lot of Canberrans there just aren't any other options. There is so much Labor could do to fix that.
"This budget is an opportunity for Labor to show Canberrans they are being heard - and that their struggles during a cost-of-living and fuel crisis are not falling on deaf ears," Said Mr Braddock.
As stated by Jo Clay, Leader of the ACT Greens:
"This Government needs to break it's habit of short-term thinking - kicking problems down the road for future Governments to fix.
"I hate to break it to you Labor, but the future is here and you're still the Government so those problems you didn't solve are still yours, and now they're worse.
"Canberrans are paying the price for a lack of long-term planning and investment in our public transport system - increased reliance on cars, worsening congestion, growing emissions and very limited alternative options.
"The 2026-27 Budget needs to pick up the pace of ambition for the public transport network. It's expensive to own a car but for many Canberrans, they don't have any other good options.
"Alongside greater investment in public transport, we need greater incentives for people to choose cleaner alternatives like EVs, e-bikes and e-scooters.
"Fiscal tools like stamp duty play a critical role in shaping the choices people make. If we're serious about reducing emissions and cost-of-living pressures, we need to make the least polluting vehicles - especially zero-emissions vehicles - the most accessible choice for households.
"The Greens are focused on the future our city needs - one where people can afford to get around, on a genuine turn-up-and-go public transport system or by a vehicle powered by 100% renewable electricity.
"Canberrans deserve a government with ambition and foresight - not one stuck in a cycle of delay and excuses, leaving every challenge for tomorrow," said Ms Clay.
