Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Ministers statements: public transport

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty, Minister for Employment, Minister for Public Transport) (14:21): It is my pleasure to update the house on how the Andrews government will deliver cheaper fares, more frequent services and more comfortable trains for rural and regional Victoria. Capping regional fares at the same price as metropolitan Melbourne’s goes to the heart of what this government is all about: transport equity. What is good for Melbourne’s CBD is good for the far-flung parts of our state.

Members interjecting.

Ben CARROLL: I will come to the shadow minister over there – the member for Polwarth – don’t you worry about that. In some parts of the state you can pay up to $92 to come to the CBD. The equivalent of a full fare in metropolitan Melbourne is $9.20. We are going to make that the same for regional Victoria. Speaker, for you in Bendigo, or for the Deputy Premier, the current fare is nearly $70. We are going to make that $9.20. In Geelong the current fare is nearly $30. We are going to make that $9.20, a saving of nearly $20. I think the shadow – oh, he has gone quiet. If he goes from Colac in his electorate, it is currently $40. I am encouraging him to get on the public transport system as the Shadow Minister for Public Transport. It will go down to $9.20.

Can I say, in terms of the opposition policy that they took to the election, what did the Public Transport Association have to say about their fares?

The danger of such a deep cut in fares is that it starves the system of funding for upgrades …

We are doing more than that. Every new member of the Parliament needs to know that when it comes to rolling stock, with our 10,000 jobs and our $8 billion investment we are delivering more regional trains than ever before, and we going to get on with doing it – 23 VLocities. Compare that to those opposite when they were last in office. The ACT had a bigger rolling stock agenda than those opposite, and they do not have a train network. (Time expired)

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Malvern can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for Malvern withdrew from chamber.