Greens want 50¢ public transport fares nationalised if Albanese Government needs support in hung parliament

The Greens are pushing to nationalise 50¢ public transport fares as a bargaining chip in the event of a hung parliament, saying it will cost $30 billion over a decade.

Coming off the success of the cheap fares in Queensland — a policy the State Greens pushed the former Labor government to roll out — the minor party say Federal Labor should roll out the cost-of-living policy across the country.

Individual states are responsible for their own public transport, and they would remain responsible for ongoing operating costs under the Greens’ proposal.

According to costings done by the Parliamentary Budget Office, the policy would hit the country’s coffers by about $8b over the forward estimates, and almost $30b over the decade.

The Greens say the Federal Government could cover that cost if it introduced the party’s’ proposed “Robin Hood” tax reforms — a 40 per cent super-profits tax on big corporations and mines, and mandating royalty payments from gas companies — which it says would raise $514 billion over the decade.

Their transport plan also includes a one-off $250 million fund that would assist States and territories to transition to “smart ticketing”, which would allow for passengers to pay via card or their phone.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said the cheap fares in Queensland were having a real impact on people’s hip pockets, and should be emulated nationally.

““In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics. 50c fares will help people make ends meet,” Mr Bandt said.

“With poll after poll indicating we’re headed towards a minority parliament, if people vote Greens we can get cost-of-living relief like 50¢ fares.

“The major parties can’t say it’s impossible, because it’s happening right now in Queensland.”

Given polls and political commentators expect the most likely outcome of the next election to be a Labor minority government, the Greens are preparing a raft of policies they can use as leverage should the PM require their support.

The PBO notes in its summary the financial implications would be dependent on negotiations with states and territories. It also acknowledged, but did not factor in, that 50c fares could lead to increased public transport usage which would impact the cost assumptions.

The PBO did not make an assessment as to whether the $250m pool would be enough to meet the project’s objectives.