The 2025 federal election is almost upon us, with the nation set to hit the polls tomorrow to decide the next government.
In the lead-up to the big day, ABC has compiled various election policies from major parties that relate to the transport and bus industry.
The Liberals have revealed a widespread focus on road safety measures, including a $250 million increase to the Roads to Recovery program and $10 million to establish a new driver reviver site upgrades program.
The former will immediately lift funding to $1 billion per year from 2025-26, helping local governments to maintain and upgrade safer local roads.
The proposed driver reviver site upgrades program will support volunteer and community organisations to improve existing driver reviver rest stops and establish new ones.
The party has also announced it will, if successful, provide $6 million over three years to expand the scope of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to oversee a national no-fault crash investigation pilot that better understands the root causes of crashes.
On the Nationals side, leader David Littleproud says a Coalition government would invest $1 billion to empower local councils across Australia to deliver critical community infrastructure and road projects.
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Two dedicated streams, worth $500 million each, would focus on resilience and community infrastructure, as well as roads. The latter would target potholes and allow councils to maintain and improve local roads.
“These investments will build stronger communities, create jobs, boost local economies and help communities prepare for future challenges, such as natural disasters,” Mr Littleproud says.
“The Coalition is committed to working with local governments, because we know the best outcomes are achieved when decisions are made at the community level.”
The Labor party has no specific bus or transport related election priorities ahead of tomorrow, instead focusing on broader manufacturing and cost of living measures.
The current government’s focus is on providing energy bill relief and making free TAFE permanent to deliver the workforce for the industry.
On the Greens side, the cost of living issue is being addressed via the suggestion for 50c public transport fares. Following in the mould of Queensland, who now run 50c transport fares, the goal is to roll out the fares nationally.
“Making public transport fares just 50c would mean that someone working full-time using public transport to and from their workplace would spend only $5 on their weekly commute,” the party says.
On top of this, the Greens also want to provide a one-off $250 million fund to help states and territories transition to smart ticketing.
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