Independent Senator Rex Patrick today called on the new South Australian Labor Government of Premier Peter Malinauskas to follow the example of the Tasmanian Government in providing free public transport to ease the squeeze of extreme petrol prices.
"Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein should be congratulated for committing his Government to implement a five-week suspension of bus fares. SA Premier Malinauskas should follow suit, though a period longer than five weeks may well be necessary."
"If a Liberal Government can do this, so should a Labor administration."
"At the same time, Mr Malinauskas should join my campaign for a 50% cut in the federal fuel excise."
"Extreme petrol prices disproportionately hit lower income households. Family fuel consumption is largely determined by the necessity of travel to work, school etc, not by the price of petrol, and less well-off households pay a much greater proportion of their income on fuel than richer people do."
"It would be entirely in keeping with the presumed philosophy and social policy of a Labor Government to support calls for immediate relief through a 50% cut to the fuel excise over the next twelve months."
"Former Liberal Premier Steven Marshall supported a cut to federal fuel tax. What about it Peter Malinauskas?"
