Queensland Premier Unveils Major Cost-of-Living Relief Plan: Caps on Petrol Prices and Cheap Public Transport
August 6, 2024Queensland Premier Steven Miles has unveiled a series of pre-election proposals aimed at providing cost-of-living relief, including plans to cap daily petrol price hikes.
Under the new scheme, the government intends to limit fuel price increases to a maximum of five cents per litre per day.
In addition to the petrol price cap, the government is implementing various cost-of-living initiatives, such as a 20% reduction in car registration fees and subsidized energy bills.
Other relief measures include $1000 energy rebates for households and a trial of 50-cent public transport fares for six months, making it the cheapest in Australia.
The trial for the 50-cent public transport fare began recently and aims to encourage increased usage of public transport.
The Labor government also plans to take over the operation of Brisbane buses from the City Council to improve service coordination with train services.
Additionally, Miles announced the creation of a new Independent Transport Authority to oversee Translink and enhance coordination among ferries, buses, and trains.
To further support these initiatives, the government plans to establish 12 state-owned petrol stations, which will operate on a cost recovery basis and offer fair pricing.
These petrol stations are intended to increase competition and reduce reliance on multinational corporations, with a focus on identifying areas with significant fuel price gouging.
This year's budget includes $3.8 billion in new cost-of-living relief, totaling $11.2 billion in concessions for residents.
With polls indicating that Queensland Labor is trailing the LNP ahead of the October 26 election, these proposals are part of a broader strategy to focus on cost-of-living relief.
Miles will formally unveil these pre-election promises during a lunchtime address to the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Aug 5, 2024
Queensland Labor plans state-owned petrol stations as it bids for fourth termThe West Australian • Aug 5, 2024
State-owned fuel stations pitch ahead of Qld electionBrisbane Times • Aug 5, 2024
Premier promises to cap petrol price hikes, and take over Brisbane busesBrisbane Times • Aug 5, 2024
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