State opposition promising to provide free public transport to healthcare workers for four years

Victoria’s healthcare workers would ride for free on metropolitan and V/Line services under an election promise by the state opposition. See who qualifies.

The public transport plan is described as a way to recognise the sacrifices made by health heroes during the pandemic. Picture: David Caird

More than 260,000 healthcare workers would get free public transport for four years under a Victorian coalition government – saving them up to $1800 a year.

In a major cost of living pledge ahead of the November state election, Opposition Leader Matt Guy today will promise a free ride for nurses, aged care workers, paramedics and allied health workers.

The cash splash would enable travel across all metropolitan and V/Line services every day of the year, and extend to podiatrists, pharmacists, dental staff, transport orderlies, and even nutrition specialists.

Mr Guy said the measure would be a recognition of health heroes’ sacrifices made during the pandemic, while providing an incentive to retain an exhausted workforce.

The policy would allow healthcare workers to travel for free on all metropolitan and V/Line services. Picture: Sarah Matray

“To fix the health crisis we need innovative solutions to attract, retain and reward health workers,” he said.

“Our nurses have given so much for our community over the past three years – this important commitment demonstrates the value we place on them.

“A cheaper, easier commute to work is exactly what our nurses need and deserve. Only the Liberals and Nationals will deliver this critical commitment.”

An annual myki pass for travel on Zone 1 and 2 across metropolitan Melbourne costs about $1800, meaning potential savings over four years would be almost $7200 for full-time workers using public transport to get to shifts.

Matthew Guy says ‘we need innovative solutions to attract, retain and reward health workers’. Picture: David Crosling

If healthcare workers travelled from Geelong to Melbourne five days a week, the savings could be a whopping $3500 a year.

The Coalition will task Public Transport Victoria with establishing the system, which would be linked to individual workers’ myki or tickets and not transferable.
It is likely to cost at least $110 million in lost fare revenue over four years but will depend on uptake.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the positive plan would “support this critical workforce to continue their outstanding work” as well as provide hip pocket relief.

“Our plan will make it cheaper and easier for nurses and other healthcare staff to get to and from work, as well as support them when going about their daily lives,” she said.

Public transport spokesman Danny O’Brien said it was expected more healthcare workers would shift to public transport under the initiative, meaning a benefit for motorists too.

“This commitment will contribute to a broader boost in public transport usage – meaning an easier commute for Victorians across the state,” he said.

“After three years of outstanding work supporting our community, free public transport is an excellent way to reward Victoria’s healthcare staff.”

‘Double-barrelled policy’: Matt Johnston analysis

The starting pistol has been fired ahead of the November state election, even if we’re months from a formal campaign.

Opposition Leader Matt Guy – that’s right, Matthew is gone and it is Matt vs Dan now – has promised free public transport for healthcare workers if the Liberals and Nationals are elected.

It’s a double-barrelled policy, aimed at two hot-button issues.

There is cash in the pocket of up to 260,000 Victorians struggling with cost of living, and an incentive for workers to stay in a healthcare system reeling from Covid-19 chaos.

Not everyone will take up the generosity daily so it won’t break the already-stretched state budget, but it will have a significant impact on the household budgets of many workers.

The policy would help Victorians struggling with cost of living. Picture: David Caird

Guy will no doubt hope it will also help convince healthcare workers he’s on their side, after months of slamming the government’s lockdowns and pandemic restrictions.

This is a significant policy in its own right, but it’s also a reset and rebrand for ‘Matt Guy’, who recently lost his chief of staff to a scandal and has struggled to stay on message.

Just like Daniel Andrews became Dan Andrews in 2014, Matthew Guy is now Matt Guy in press releases.

And this major election-eve cash splash is described as a “positive plan” by health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier, harking back to Labor’s 2014 campaign sound bites.

The test for the Liberals and Nationals is to ensure the positivity is heard clearly by voters, and rolls right up to polling day.