SA fees and charges for public transport, car registration rise despite coronavirus cost crisis

The cost of buying a ticket on public transport and registering a car or boat has risen despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions that are hurting families’ budgets.

Fees and charges including buying a ticket for public transport and registering a car or boat have all risen, despite many families still doing it tough amid coronavirus restrictions.

Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan has accused the State Government of “sneaking out” the changes, and says cost increases are “the last thing” SA needs right now.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said most costs were rising only by about the rate of inflation, and there were special programs and grants offering generous help those who were genuinely struggling.

“It’s the standard Treasury indexation rate which has been used by Labor and Liberal governments,” he said.

“The taxpayers’ money should go to the people that most need it.

“With great respect, those journalists and MPs and others who are unimpacted by COVID-19 and still earning an income and can afford to pay a 1.9 per cent increase are making their contribution towards helping those who need it and are significantly impacted.”

This new increases follow a major one-off rise to fees and charges last year, including to high-level speeding fines and various business and trade licences, to offset lost GST revenue.

This year, registering a four-cyinder car will rise by $3 to $135.

However, changes put in place under the former Labor government have led to much larger falls in CTP prices.

A 28-day AdelaideMetro ticket increases by $2 to $103. A single ticket is up 10c to $5.70.

A 12-month boat registration rises by $2 to $90, and learners’ permits are up $1 to $67.

Taxpayers are spending $1 billion on state-based stimulus, including $10,000 grants to businesses that have lost income and $500 cost-of-living payments to people out of work.

Mr Mullighan said other states had announced freezes to cost increases in tough times and “the last thing SA businesses and families need right now is higher fees and charges”.

“We should be supporting South Australians to get through to the other side of this

crisis, not burdening them with higher costs,” Mr Mullighan said.

“Steven Marshall promised he would lower costs, instead he’s slugging South Australians.”

Mr Lucas said the increases were made public through government reporting requirements.

He said no press conference was called because the changes were considered to be minor.