The Victorian Greens are calling on Labor to immediately make public transport free as petrol and diesel prices surge and Victorians brace for yet another interest rate rise.
Petrol prices jumped by more than 10 cents a litre last week to a national average of 237.5c/L, while diesel rose more than 13 cents to 286.7c/L, as global oil supply disruptions caused by Trump's illegal war on Iran continue to drive up prices.
The fuel spike comes as the Reserve Bank is expected to raise the cash rate to 4.6 per cent today - Its fourth rate rise this year - putting even more pressure on household budgets.
The Albanese Labor Government has meanwhile ruled out another cut to the fuel excise, after its temporary fuel excise relief ended in August. The Greens say the Victorian Government has an obvious lever it can pull right now: make public transport permanently free.
Earlier this year, the Greens called for free public transport in response to soaring fuel prices. Two weeks later, the Victorian Government introduced free public transport for April and May.
Independent Parliamentary Budget Office costings commissioned by the Greens found permanently free public transport would save regular commuters more than $220 a month.
As stated by Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
"Victorians are getting absolutely smashed from every direction. Petrol is through the roof, rents and groceries keep rising, and mortgage holders could be hit with yet another interest rate rise today.
"The federal government has ruled out another fuel excise cut, but the Victorian Government can give people immediate relief by making public transport free.
"Free public transport means certainty. No matter what happens to global oil prices, commuters know they can get to work, university or school without paying a cent.
"We already proved this can be done. The Greens pushed for free public transport when fuel prices spiked earlier this year, and within weeks Labor was forced to act and make public transport free for April and May.
"For someone commuting regularly, free public transport can put more than $220 a month back into their pocket. That's real, immediate cost-of-living relief that can't be swallowed up by another petrol price spike.
"The Greens will make public transport permanently free and make big corporations pay their fair share to fund it."
