Opposition calls for freeze on rates to aid Melbourne recovery
The state Opposition is pushing the Andrews government not to raise the cost of living for Victorians following the second wave of coronavirus. See what fees and rates it wants frozen.
Victoria
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Fees and charges such as public transport fares and local council rates should be frozen until mid-2022, the state Opposition says.
The Opposition called on the government not to raise the cost of living for Victorians following the second wave of coronavirus.
Among its suggestions was a call to have all Metro and V/Line fares kept at the same rate until June 30, 2022.
It wants the government to provide free public transport for school and university students until January 1, 2022.
Other proposals included a freeze on all council rates, all household water and sewerage charges and all toll road charges with Transurban and ConnectEast until June 30, 2022.
The Opposition said it also wanted to help young people by providing half-price car registration for all P-plate drivers until June 30, 2022.
Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said the measures would ease the financial pressure on Victorians.
“The Andrews Labor Government’s second wave and harsh lockdowns has meant hundreds of thousands of Victorians have lost their jobs, or lost shifts and wages, but the cost of living continues to rise and many Victorian families are suffering,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said the financial relief was one of the Opposition’s plans it wanted the government to adopt to immediately assist Victoria’s economic recovery.
He said by reducing the cost of living Victorian families would have more money in their pockets meaning they have more to spend with local businesses.
“Throughout this second wave Daniel Andrews has looked after his union mates rather than families and small businesses and their staff.
“The least Labor can do is assist families who are doing it tough because of the government’s mistakes.
“Labor has no plan to assist families under financial stress, so we are urging it to adopt the Liberal Nationals’ plan to get Victoria back to work.”
Opposition treasury spokeswoman Louise Staley said: “Time is not on our side and we must act urgently to help all Victorians get back to work.”
Treasurer Tim Pallas announced on Friday the 2020/21 budget would be handed down on November 24.
Mr Pallas said the budget would “continue our unprecedented support for Victorian families and businesses, and kickstart our economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic”.
In May, the government announced a freeze on a range of charges that were due to be increased in July.
That included car registration, traffic infringements, court-imposed penalties and permit fees and the Fire Services Property Levy.
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