Labor Pledges Public Transport Fare Cap as Business Chamber Raises Concerns

Victoria's Premier Ben Carroll has pledged to cap public transport fares at $30 a week if the Labor government is re-elected next month. This move comes hot on the heels of a weekend commitment by Victorian Labor to cap Melbourne freeway tolls at $30 per week.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern over the rising costs associated with cost-of-living pledges during the election campaign. Premier Ben Carroll announced that if re-elected, a Labor government would introduce the $30-a-week fare cap, which would run for two years until December 2028.

"This is real cost-of-living relief that helps a regular commuter save $1,400 a year," the premier said. "Everyone can benefit, but full-time workers will benefit most."

Victorian Labor estimated the transport fare cap policy would cost $206 million over its two-year duration, which Mr Carroll said would be offset by savings made elsewhere. The pledge comes only a day after Labor also committed to a $30-a-week freeway toll cap in an election pledge battle with the Coalition.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry policy and advocacy chief Amelia Bitsis said businesses large and small were concerned about the escalating profligacy of the Victorian election campaign.

"We're asking all major political parties to show some fiscal restraint," she said. "We simply don't have an accurate enough picture of what the true debt situation is in Victoria."

"What certainly do know is that business is on the hook for that debt, so are Victorian households," Ms Bitsis added. "A lot of the election commitments that we are seeing are lovely nice-to-haves but the question becomes: Can we afford them?"