Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Laverton electorate

Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (14:45): (1157) My question is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport. One of the key cost-of-living measures that has been introduced in this year’s state budget is that our government from 1 January next year will be making travel on public transport free for all Victorians under the age of 18 – I mean, seriously, how good is that? That means that all kids, whether they are travelling on buses, trams or trains, will not have to pay to get around Victoria. When I first heard that we would be doing this it was a surprise, to be sure, but gosh, it was a welcome one. As someone who has two kids at school who rely on public transport to get to and from school, I know how costly it can be for families to pay for their kids to travel on a daily basis. That is why I know that this measure is not only a relief for thousands of families here in Victoria, but it is also the right thing to do. I ask the minister this: what will the average family, including those in my electorate of Laverton, save from making PT free for our kids?