Greens Leader Adam Bandt has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to enact a nationwide public transport fare of 50 cents—an initiative meant to save Australians up to $2,400 per year. This proposal is inspired by the recent implementation of reduced fares by the former Queensland government, which was led by Steven Miles, prior to its defeat by the Liberal National Party (LNP) in the 2024 election.
The Greens have identified the 50-cent fares as central to their federal campaign strategy, even though public transport remains under the jurisdiction of state governments. Despite lacking the legislative numbers to pass such legislation independently, the Greens are positioning themselves to exert greater influence on policy, particularly with the likelihood of entering another hung parliament.
Mr. Bandt is set to formally launch this bold initiative on Friday, stating, "If Queensland could implement these heavily discounted fares, then the rest of the country should too. 50-cent fares will help people make ends meet.” He believes it’s time for Australians to reconsider their voting habits. “We can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result. This election will be the most important in a generation.”
The Greens' estimates project significant savings for commuters across Australia. For example, full-time workers in Melbourne could save about $2,400 annually (or $50 weekly), those in Sydney would benefit by approximately $2,160 per year, and residents of Perth could find themselves $2,006 richer annually, with Adelaide workers saving around $1,872.
Property transport spokesperson Elizabeth Watson-Brown has also urged Mr. Albanese to embrace this policy. She cited the success of Queensland’s 50-cent fares, emphasizing, "It has reduced traffic and emissions, massively increased ridership on public transport, and saved Queenslanders millions.” She argues, “Now it’s time to roll out 50c fares across the country. If it’s good enough for both Queensland Labor and LNP, surely it’s good enough for Federal Labor.”
Moving forward, the Greens have outlined a financial framework for this initiative: the Parliamentary Budget Office estimates the nationwide rollout would result in costs of around $8.1 billion over four years. Further, they propose allocating $250 million to assist states with transitioning to advanced “smart ticketing” systems, allowing users to pay through debit or credit cards, or via smartphones.
Mr. Bandt reiterated, "The major parties can’t say it’s impossible, because it’s happening right now in Queensland.” He indicated the proposal could provide immediate cost-of-living relief for struggling households across Australia.
The timing of this announcement strategically aligns with the upcoming February 8 by-election for the Victorian seat of Prahran, following the resignation of former Greens Deputy Leader Sam Hibbins. The Greens candidate for Prahran, Angelica Di Camillo, expressed the pressing need for such measures. "Melbourne residents have faced three fare increases within the last 18 months,” she noted, highlighting the city's current position among the world’s most expensive public transport systems. According to Di Camillo, the proposed 50-cent fares would translate to nearly $5,000 savings for Melbourne households.
While the Greens’ plan remains ambitious, it exemplifies their strategy to capitalize on the current political climate. Polls indicate the forthcoming election might yield another minority government, and the party intends to leverage this to push for significant reforms, positioning themselves as the enablers of progress.
It’s clear the Greens aim to shift the political narrative and make cost-of-living adjustments front and center. Their proposal not only seeks to alleviate financial burdens on the average commuter but also reflects their enduring belief in making sustainable public transport accessible for all Australians. This initiative could serve as a litmus test for voters seeking real change this election season, signaling their collective readiness for new and impactful policies.