Motions

Public Transport

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:28): I move:

That this council—

1. Notes the Queensland government's announcement that it will make 50¢ fares permanent on all public transport networks in Queensland following a successful six-month trial;

2. Acknowledges that the implementation of 50¢ public transport fares in Queensland has resulted in a significant increase in public transport patronage and positive outcomes for cost of living, traffic congestion, business, and the environment;

3. Notes that Adelaide City Council resolved at its meeting on 11 March 2025 to approach the state government to explore the possibility of implementation of a similar scheme in Adelaide; and

4. Calls on the Malinauskas government to undertake a six-month trial of 50¢ public transport fares as part of its upcoming budget.

The motion that I am moving today—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Pangallo, we have been glowing in our endorsement of your guests in the gallery, but if you are going to have a conversation, please do it outside.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: That is a shame, Mr President; I think they might enjoy this one. The motion I am moving today notes the Queensland government's announcement that it will make 50¢ fares permanent on all public transport networks in Queensland following a successful six-month trial. It acknowledges that the implementation of 50¢ public transport fares in Queensland has resulted in a significant increase in public transport patronage and positive outcomes for cost of living, traffic congestion, business and the environment. It notes that the Adelaide City Council resolved at its recent meeting on 11 March to approach the state government to explore the possibility of implementation of a similar scheme in Adelaide, and it calls on the Malinauskas government to undertake a six-month trial of 50¢ public transport fares as part of its upcoming budget.

To be very clear, the Greens support free and frequent public transport—that has been our policy for some time—but we do recognise that a reduction to 50¢ would be a significant improvement, particularly when one considers the fact that the Malinauskas government have actually increased public transport fares in their last budget. While in other states public transport fees have been going backwards, in SA they have actually been going up, so a 50¢ fare in line with what is happening in Queensland would be a really positive step.

In terms of the history of this, back in August last year, the previous Labor government in Queensland announced a six-month trial of 50¢ fares on public transport, including buses, trains, ferries and trams. The trial proved so successful in its initial stages that Labor promised to keep public transport fares at a flat 50¢ rate after the October election, and this is a commitment that was matched by the Liberal Party. The LNP formed government and they have continued with that commitment, making it clear that 50¢ fares will remain in Queensland.

It is worthwhile, I think, looking at some of the data in terms of what the evidence said. At the conclusion of the six-month trial, this is what the data tells us: the Department of Transport and Main Roads has revealed an 18.3 per cent jump in the number of people taking public transport compared to 2023. Train travel has gone up 18.6 per cent, bus travel went up 15.8 per cent, light rail usage rose by 27.5 per cent, and ferries saw the most dramatic increase in their patronage, with figures up by 42.8 per cent.

Some of the steepest increases were outside metropolitan Brisbane. In south-east Queensland, the number of people catching public transport increased by 49 per cent in Gympie, 37 per cent on the Sunshine Coast, 35 per cent at Noosa and 21 per cent on the Gold Coast. Patronage was also up 20 per cent on average across all regional bus networks, with the biggest increases being 49 per cent in Townsville and 40 per cent in Mackay.

The ABC has reported that a commuter taking the train from the Gold Coast to Brisbane used to pay around $29 a day. If they have been doing that five times a week for the past six months, except on public holidays, 50¢ fares would have saved that commuter $3,640. Those travelling into the city from Brisbane's suburbs for work have already saved $1,000. In total, the government says customers have saved around $181 million during the duration of the 50¢ fares. Leanne Wood from Anglicare says there is immense value in giving those who previously could not afford it the freedom to travel. She has said:

We're hearing stories about families being able to go out on weekends, taking trips to the Gold Coast, for example, from Brisbane. They couldn't afford to do that before.

She also said:

People are talking more about getting together with family and friends. We're starting to see people talking about feeling less lonely because they're out and about.

When the Queensland government announced that they were making this permanent back in September, the Greens called for the Malinauskas government to implement 50¢ fares as a trial. We are really pleased to see the Adelaide City Council has got on board with this push as well, and I understand that the council has passed a resolution asking the Lord Mayor to write to the transport minister, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis.

We are calling on the government to make this a priority as part of the upcoming state budget. Why not roll out 50¢ fares in the lead-up to the state election so that we can get some evidence on the increased patronage? This is a really good way of reducing congestion on our streets. It is a really good way of easing some of the cost-of-living pressures that families are dealing with at the moment.

We have worked out that an average family of four that take public transport to and from work and school could save around $1,800 in a six-month period. That is a significant saving for families, particularly when one considers that the cost of rent is going up, the cost of putting food on the table is going up and the like. So we urge the government to take this seriously. I indicate to members I will be bringing this to a vote and I will do that in the next sitting period.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. L.A. Henderson.