Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (17:51): (2441) My matter is for the Minister for Public and Active Transport in the other place, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide an update on the free public transport initiative made possible by the Allan Labor government. Over the weekend I was out across the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region at local festivals and markets speaking with community members, and one message came through loud and clear: rising fuel prices are putting real pressure on household budgets, and that is why people are genuinely pleased to hear about the introduction of free public transport throughout the month of April. While this is a temporary measure and it will not solve every cost-of-living challenge, free public transport is an immediate and practical step that will make a real difference for many people. It helps ease pressure on family budgets at a time when every dollar counts, and it also gives people who may not usually take public transport the opportunity to see just how fast, reliable and convenient it can be. Initiatives like this show that the Allan Labor government is listening and responding in practical ways to what communities are telling us, making it easier and cheaper to get around, and that supports families, encourages greater use of public transport and helps take pressure off our roads. I want to thank the minister for her ongoing commitment to supporting our community and for her passion and dedication to strengthening Victoria’s public transport system. I look forward to receiving her response.