The Canberra Liberals policy includes free transport for students, seniors and concession card holders. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Free public transport for seniors and students, vehicle registration rebates and school vouchers.
These are the promises contained in a $65 million cost-of-living package to be announced by the Canberra Liberals today (31 January).
Leader Elizabeth Lee said the package aimed to provide relief for Canberrans during the “unprecedented” cost-of-living crisis.
“We know through ABS data and evidence given at recent Estimates hearings from community groups such as ACTCOSS and charity organisations there is a significant increase in people accessing their services,” she said.
“These measures we have announced today are broad and designed to provide much-needed cost-of-living relief to many Canberrans who have been continually ignored by the Labor-Greens government.”
The plan, which can only come into effect if the Canberra Liberals win the election, includes:
- $150 voucher for school-related expenses for each school-enrolled child, preschool to year 12
- $100 voucher for sport registration and extracurricular activities for each school-enrolled child, preschool to year 12
- $100 rebate off the registration for each ACT-registered passenger vehicle
- $100 rebate off the registration for each ACT-registered caravan and camper trailer
- $50 rebate off the cost of electricity bills for every Canberra household
- Free public transport for all students, seniors and concession card holders.
Under the policy, it’s been calculated that a family with two school-aged children and two registered cars will be at least $750 better off.
That increases to at least $1000 for families with three school-aged children.
Ms Lee said this announcement was about providing “real and practical relief” for Canberrans on top of existing concession measures.
“The Canberra Liberals have been listening to the many Canberrans who have been raising their concerns about cost-of-living pressures for some time now but have been continually ignored by the Labor-Greens government,” she said.
“Canberrans have been taxed to the bone by Andrew Barr and their hard-earned money has been wasted on dodgy contracts and abandoned HR programs, [so] all Canberrans deserve some of that money going back into their pocket’s when they need it the most.
“Whilst this policy is squarely aimed at providing cost-of-living relief to Canberrans doing it tough now, I look forward to announcing a number of other initiatives in the lead up to the election that will assist Canberrans with the current cost-of-living crisis.”
It comes off the back of Canberra being ranked as having the highest cost-of-living expenses in the country.
Global cost-of-living database NUMBEO also has the ACT sitting at 21st in the world.
NUMBEO, the world’s largest cost of living database has confirmed Canberra has the highest current cost of living in Australia with the ACT also sitting at 21st in the world on the current cost of living index.
It’s calculated a family of four has estimated monthly costs of $7418.70 (excluding rent), and a single person’s estimated monthly costs are $2088 (without rent).
Ms Lee said this index came as no surprise.
“Canberrans continue to pay some of the highest rents in the country and are also slugged more than other states and territories when it comes to car registration, sporting registration, and we know how much rates and government charges have increased under Andrew Barr,” she said.
“Add to this the significant increases in interest rates, groceries, petrol and utilities, and it is little wonder so many are struggling with the cost of living.”
This Canberra Liberals policy is its second announcement in the lead-up to the October election, on top of its $100 million ‘Putting Your Suburb First’ policy.
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