2022-03-22
As petrol prices continue to soar, the Victorian Greens are calling on the state government to temporarily make public transport free in a bid to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures facing Victorians right now.
The Greens also want to see the Government introduce a $5,000 clean transport credit for people who scrap their old and polluting petrol cars, which can be used for public transport or to subsidise the cost of buying an electric vehicle or e-bike.
Victorian Greens spokesperson for transport, Sam Hibbins, said in response to high petrol prices, the Government needed to act now to reduce cost-of-living pressures and seize the opportunity to support a shift away from petrol vehicles to cheaper, cleaner transport.
Transport is Victoria’s biggest growing source of carbon emissions, with petrol guzzling vehicles in Victoria accounting for roughly a quarter of our greenhouse gas emissions, which is the equivalent of one of our state’s coal-fired power stations.
Australia has some of the lowest emission standards for vehicles in the world, with the average age of the Victorian car being over ten years old. This means there are millions of Victorians still driving expensive, polluting petrol cars that leave them vulnerable to fuel price rises.
New Zealand has halved public transport fares, while successful car scrappage schemes exist throughout the world including in France which offers incentives for electric vehicles and e-bikes, and Belgium which offers subsidies for public transport.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens transport spokesperson, Sam Hibbins MP:
“Petrol prices are sky-high right now and Victorians across the state are struggling with the cost-of-living.
“The government must act now to reduce cost-of-living pressures and seize the opportunity to support a shift out of expensive, polluting petrol vehicles to cheaper, cleaner transport.
“Free public transport would be a huge relief for families, young people and renters who are struggling to make ends meet after a tough two years, and would help get people back onto public transport.
“An incentive for Victorians to ditch their petrol guzzling cars in favour of more sustainable forms of transport, will accelerate the shift toward cheaper, cleaner transport.
“Without action Victorians’ are facing a climate, cost-of-living and congestion crisis