50 Cent Bus Fares

[11.50 a.m.]

Ms BURNET (Clark) - Deputy Speaker, I thank Mr O'Byrne for bringing this important focus back on to public transport and 50c fares. I will speak about three areas, starting with ticketing. I still need to work through this in my mind as to whether 50c fares are the best solution or, as the Greens have articulated, making public transport free.

I was gobsmacked when the government bravely came out with free bus fares until 1 July to tackle the fuel crisis for many struggling Tasmanians. It has been welcome. The uptake has been sensational. We have heard the government talk about this. We have heard the rest of the House talk about this. It is so important.

What I'm concerned about with 50c fares is the ticketing. Mr O'Byrne himself has brought this up many times, particularly in Estimates. The Cubic ticketing system started off at $8 million, is now over $65 million and is still not delivered. There is no sign of that being delivered any time soon. I wonder if it's worth putting in this kind of ticketing system given the high cost.

The second issue for me is that there has to be a solution for public transport by the time we get to 1 July. We cannot have a lack of analysis of this amazing uptake by so many Tasmanians in our cities and on services like Kinetic and others up in the north-west. We need to make sure those services are there, but also that the equity issue is addressed.

Whatever happens, there is a need to look at making sure public transport is free and accessible for students. Students are struggling in a cost‑of-living crisis, particularly under‑18 students. There are those students balancing jobs - and a shout‑out to all of those students who are trying to make ends meet, trying to get to uni, school or college. It's so difficult. It is important that public transport is made accessible in the long term and free for those struggling and those on pensions.

Look at the McKell Institute's and the Productivity Commission's previous work on public transport. Public transport is a fundamental driver for our cities. We have talked about the equity issue. It must continue. Again, I compliment the government on the great work with making public transport free. To my mind, that is a better way. Or making it so accessible, such as with tap‑and‑go in other cities like Sydney. I was up there recently, using  tap‑and‑go getting onto the ferry. It is a totally integrated public transport system with buses, catching the train to the airport, and so forth. We can do it. We can do this for our community and we must do it.