Greens release $676m bus, rail and ferry plan to combat commuter congestion

Free bus travel, a light rail service and ferries on the Derwent are the centrepieces of a $676m election pledge to tackle worsening commuter congestion. DETAILS >>

• Electoral Act Review’s recommendations for donations and elections
• Fury as Tassie’s biggest political donors revealed

BUS travel would be made free and light rail in Hobart would become a reality under a plan by the Greens to tackle worsening traffic congestion.

Under a four-year policy worth $676m, $33m a year would be invested to make bus transport free for both public and private providers.

Meanwhile, $205m would be spent on a light rail service between the Hobart central business district and the northern suburbs.

The Greens would also establish a Public Transport Authority to run a greater Hobart ferry service costed at $116m over four years.

Greens Leader and transport spokeswoman Cassy O’Connor said commuters had endured years of worsening congestion, and were fed up with empty promises from government.

Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor in the Elizabeth Street bus mall. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms O’Connor said the Greens had a plan for transport solutions that were backed by evidence from around Australia and the world.

“Our plan will not only tackle congestion, but also reduce carbon emissions, improve health outcomes, and make roads safer,” she said.

“The Greens recognise that accessible and affordable transport is crucial for people looking to access work, education and essential services, which is why we’ll make public transport free.

“It’s time to start learning the lessons from the most liveable cities in the world — all of which have invested heavily in mass transit solutions.”

‘Smoke and mirrors’: Major parties lashed over donations

A PROMISE by the major parties to reveal political donations was supposed to improve transparency during the state election, but less than three days before polling day, voters remain mostly none the wiser about who is bankrolling the Liberal and Labor campaigns.

The parties pledged to voluntarily disclose all donations of more than $5000 during the election campaign within two days of the donation being made.

But by Wednesday afternoon, the Liberals and Labor had reported just one donation each meeting that criteria.

The Liberal Party has disclosed it received $50,000 from a Richard Smith, while Labor was given $10,000 from Sea Road Holdings.

The Mercury made enquiries with all parties about donations on Wednesday, and Labor listed two more — $25,000 from BTI Pty Ltd and $8631.22 from the ALP National Secretariat.

The Liberals have revealed the name of just one donor during the election campaign. Picture: Chris Kidd

Meanwhile, the Greens have disclosed more than $66,000 worth of donations from 14 individuals, ranging from $1500 to $15,700, after pledging to reveal all donations of $1500 or more.

The Greens confirmed they have received a total of between $130,000 and $140,000 in donations during the campaign so far, but the Liberals and Labor both ignored a question asking how much had been donated to them.

According to the Australian Electoral Commission, the Tasmanian Liberals received a total of $4,168,930 in the 2017-18 financial year while Labor received $1,128,447. The last election was held in March 2018.

Labor has revealed three donations over $5000 this campaign. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania has the country’s laxest rules for electoral donations, defaulting to the weak federal arrangements, which set a $16,500 threshold for annual public disclosures.

The voluntary arrangements agreed to by the major parties are still weaker than those in place in any other state — and are not retrospective.

University of Tasmania Associate Professor Rick Snell argued the small number of disclosures to date indicated even the $5000 threshold was too high.

“The contrast between the Greens’ threshold and the others shows the necessity to keep the disclosure level low,” he said.

“The Labor and Liberal examples demonstrate the need for real-time disclosure and post-election follow-up. It’s very easy to delay the transfer of money until after an election.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the party had been transparent about its fundraising efforts.

“All parties should be declaring their donations, not the sham process the Liberals and Labor have rustled up in the heat of a campaign,” she said.

“It’s smoke and mirrors. They had packets in the bank from corporate donations that have been coming in since the last election.”

The Greens confirmed they have received $130,000-$140,000 in donations during the campaign so far.

A Liberal Party spokesman said the party had disclosed amounts over $5000 — actually a single donation — as per an agreement struck last month to publicise such amounts within two business days of the donation.

The party refused to reveal how much it had received in donations in total so far this campaign.

Labor Party state secretary Stuart Benson said the it was listing on its website all donations over $5000. He also declined to answer how much had been donated to the party to date.

The Liberals had promised to introduce a lower threshold for donations, shorter timelines for disclosures and public funding for elections to reduce reliance on donations.

Labor has proposed an even stricter plan with disclosure of all donations over $1000 within 30 days.

The reforms were put on hold when the election was called.

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