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Victorian government matches $9.20 regional V/Line fare caps after Nationals and Liberals delivered similar policy

Opposition leader announced $2 fares policy for local transport. Government later matched it with $9.20 regional fare caps after Nationals and Liberals delivered similar policies.

By news@gippsland - 22nd March 2023 - Back to News

I am pleased to rise to speak on this MPI, given the critical role that I played in the policy that we are now debating in the government's matter of public importance. It was on 9 October that I stood with the former Leader of the Opposition and announced our $2 fares policy for local transport, for local Metro services and for local buses in rural and regional Victoria.

I have never had constituents complain about expensive fares despite the cost savings of cheaper fares, says Danny O'Brien

Announcement triggers minister

I knew we had hit a bit of a nerve when the media release went out at 7 am, and the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure was on the radio at 8 am excoriating us in the worst possible terms for not including V/Line in our announcement. She did not know of course that there was still a V/Line announcement to come two days later.

But I know why the minister was so upset. Clearly the Labor Party had no policy on regional rail fare savings because it took three weeks - the minister at the table, the member for Niddrie, is giving me a wry smile because he knows it is a fact that the Nationals and the Liberals actually delivered this policy first and that they then had to scramble and say, 'Well what are we going to do? We can't just match it, we'll have to do something better.'

So here we are: we have now got the government once again following the Nationals when it comes to public transport policy, and they did come to the party with this policy now of $9.20 regional fare caps, which is good for those of us that have got regional services.

Complaints and broken promises

I am very pleased to be able to speak as the Nationals rep on this MPI, but there was a bit of competition for it. Some of my colleagues wanted to have a go. The member for Lowan in particular wanted to have a go. She said, 'Well, I just wouldn't mind a service.'

As the member for Polwarth said a moment ago, places like Hamilton have two services; my colleague, the member for Lowan, has to go from Horsham to Ararat to get on a train, and even then she got a bus in from Melton this week. We could talk about all those areas of regional Victoria that do not get any services, and I will go to some of the - Members interjecting.

Well, we could also talk about broken commitments. I mean, I know the member for Mildura would like to talk, and I would also like to talk about South Gippsland, both of which the Labor Party promised to reopen. And what has happened - we still do not have anything. So do not talk to me about what happened back in the 1990s before half of your side were even born. You made promises to reopen lines, and you did not deliver. - Members interjecting.

Regional rail promises unfulfilled

The speaker said, "Order! Member for Eureka, you have had your turn. Member for Polwarth, you have also had your turn."

Thank you, Speaker. I get a bit fired up when it comes to promises about regional rail because particularly the other member for Bendigo, the member for Bendigo East, likes to always have a go at what happened in the 1990s, but she never mentions the failures of the Labor government that came along and failed to actually deliver on its commitments to reopen those lines, particularly Mildura and Leongatha.

But as I said, the member for Lowan would just like something decent. They do not have much in the way of public transport there - the Overland, in trouble over the years. The member for Shepparton, I know I have asked a number of questions of ministers, including the one at the table, the Minister for Public Transport, at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee over the years, and we discovered that despite the government announcing.

Rail promises not delivered

I think in 2018, there will be nine services a day to Shepparton, we did not find out until last year in PAEC that in fact those promised VLocity trains will not be delivered until 2027 - 2027! You know, it is all spin. It is all 'We're going to do these great things' but actually delivering on it is the thing.

The reason I am raising these issues is because, like the member for Polwarth said, as much as people will appreciate the cost savings in cheaper fares, I do not think in my eight and a bit years in Parliament I have ever had anyone come to me and say the fares were too expensive. Juliana Addison said, "Seriously?"

Danny O'BRIEN: Because what they want is an actual service that turns up on time. They want a train that comes up as a train and not as a coach, and I am looking at those over there who are saying, 'Oh my God, you've never had anyone complain about cost. We've got 4000 services a day in Ballarat, they complain about the cost all the time.'

Regional transport lacks reliability

Well, when you have only got three a day, that is what people come and complain to you about. And when you are in Gippsland, there is an actual joke. There is a cartoon in Gippsland of a little kid getting a train set for Christmas, and it comes with a bonus bus, because that is what it always is in Gippsland.

For the last six years in particular you have to actually check to find out. I want to catch the train to Melbourne, will it be a bus? You are actually better off saying 'I'm going to catch the bus to Melbourne, I wonder if it might be a train?' - because it just does not happen.

Rail services politicised

So much of that has been about the Level Crossing Removal Project, which is another area where the government has stuffed up Gippsland rail services, because Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong - and it is all very easy for those over there to say - have got the regional rail link.

The regional rail link, I might add, was delivered by the former member for Polwarth at a $400 million saving and ahead of schedule compared to what was promised by those opposite. But Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo have got a regional rail link - The speaker: Order! Member of Kororoit, can I remind you that when you pass the mace, you must bow.

Gippsland lacks a dedicated line

Danny O'BRIEN: I have lost my train of thought now, and it is of all people the Rail, Tram and Bus Union who have done it! It is a conspiracy, Speaker. It is the RTBU trying to put me off.

But we do not have a dedicated Gippsland line. I caught the train here on Monday, as I often do when there is a train running. So I caught the train here, and as is always the case we rocketed along to Pakenham and then we got to Pakenham and we got stuck behind a Metro train.

Naturally enough we were 20 minutes late coming into town because there is no dedicated line, and now the government has gone ahead with its sky rail through the south-eastern suburbs there is virtually no possibility that you can put in a dedicated line to Gippsland because the government did not plan for it.

Labor delays regional rail

I talk about delays on these things. The government announced the Regional Rail Revival project, which is a good project and I support it, and it is funded 90 percent by the former federal coalition government - 90 percent. So when it comes to metro trains, when it comes to level crossing removals, this government can find the money for it out of its own pocket.

When it is regional stuff, we will get the feds to pay for it. Indeed the feds did pay for it. My colleague the federal member for Gippsland Darren Chester came to the party and actually said, 'Well, this is stuff that we need, so we will fund it.'

But in 2017 the Labor government announced in its budget the Regional Rail Revival and the member for Bendigo East, who was the minister at the time, said on 1 May: We've done the planning work, we've done the business case work and we're ready to go.

Delayed rail upgrade completion

Member for Eastern Victoria Ms Shing said the project was shovel-ready. Well, that was 1 May 2017, and if you go to the Gippsland rail revival line upgrade website now there is an FAQ and it actually says: When will the Gippsland Line Upgrade be complete?

It says: Major construction of the station upgrades is complete, with station precinct works to be finished in the coming months. There are two more sentences, and it still does not tell us when the whole project is going to be complete. So 6 and a half years after we got told it was shovel-ready, we still do not have anything.

Importance of Gippsland upgrade

Why is that important? Yes, we want the upgrade - of course we want the upgrade - but we want the upgrade so that we can have some additional services, and we have still not got any commitment from this government for additional services on the Gippsland line.

We have got 19 services a day from Traralgon and three to Bairnsdale, including Sale. The populations of Wellington and East Gippsland shires, for those opposite, tally up to nearly 100,000 people. There are nearly 100,000 people between those two shires. Richard Riordan said that, That is nearly Ballarat.

Poor punctuality affects ridership

It is nearly Ballarat; thank you, member for Polwarth. That is exactly it. There is what - 24, 23 a day from Ballarat? And yet we have three services a day, when there are trains - when they run, because of course they do not run on time. I thought, 'Well, I'll just pluck the latest figures out from the V/Line website about punctuality.' Gippsland line - that is to Traralgon - the target, 92 percent; the delivery in February 2023, 79.6 percent.

For the Bairnsdale line, 88.4 percent. You can go back over years and years and years and you will find that that is the same each time. The service delivery is absolutely appalling, and it is wonderful to have cheaper fares, but as I say again: no-one has ever said to me, 'God, I'd catch the train if it was cheaper.'

Discouraging insufiency

They would catch the train if it was there, if there were more services and if it was timely, and it is not. Indeed a number of years ago the Rail Futures Institute completed the Gippsland rail needs study, and it showed that in 1990 the fastest journey from Sale was 166 minutes. In 2016 it was 163 minutes.

So we have got a 3-minute improvement in nearly 30 years. To Bairnsdale there had been no change, so there had been no improvement in service times and indeed no improvement in the number of services to Sale and Bairnsdale since 1990. I was very proud to take to the election that we would bring an additional service to Sale. The government needs to listen to the community. We need cheaper fares, but we need better and more services.

Pictures from Darren Chester Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Danny O'Brien praises Gippsland community's generosity supporting Foster Kids after ram raid destroyed Christmas gifts
  Danny O'Brien praised Gippsland's generosity after a ram raid devastated A Better Life For Foster Kids, urging continued support through toy donations, PJ Day participation, and community involvement to brighten children's lives.
• Agriculture advisory committee supports East Gippsland farmers through collaboration and regional advocacy initiatives
  The Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee advises on policies, programs, and partnerships to support East Gippsland farmers, addressing biosecurity, water security, pest management, and regional agricultural priorities for a resilient sector.
• Victoria leaders tour proposed Hastings terminal highlighting region’s central role in offshore wind future
  Regional leaders toured the proposed Hastings Renewable Energy Terminal, highlighting its crucial role in Victoria’s offshore wind strategy and clean-energy transition, with industry, government and communities collaborating for regional benefits.
• Baw Baw Shire to gain two new kindergartens located at the Neerim South Primary School and Warragul Regional College opening in 2028
  Baw Baw Shire will gain two new kindergartens at Neerim South and Warragul, opening in 2028, easing local demand and supporting families as part of the State’s Best Start reforms.
• Omeo celebrates opening of 114 km world-class mountain bike park set to transform regional adventure tourism
  Omeo has opened a $10 million, 114-kilometre mountain bike park, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and celebrating new streetscape and flood-recovery works that strengthen the town’s recreation spaces and future growth.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy removing Gippslanders' right to appeal development decisions
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy after Gelliondale Wind Farm reapplies, warning it removes Gippslanders' appeal rights, undermines safeguards, and threatens proper siting of turbines near homes.
• Darren Chester quits shadow ministry, vows to keep fighting for Gippsland and regional Australia
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester has resigned from the Coalition shadow ministry but says he remains committed to representing Gippslanders and regional Australians in Parliament despite political tensions over legislation proposed.
• Darren Chester warns Labor-Greens EPBC reforms threaten Gippsland timber industry, jobs, and regional communities
  Darren Chester warns Labor-Greens EPBC reforms threaten Gippsland’s native hardwood and plantation timber industry, risking jobs, regional communities, sustainable forest management, and increasing reliance on imported timber products.
• Latrobe City Council endorses Economic Development Advisory Committee to drive diverse, regional economic growth
  Latrobe City Council will establish an Economic Development Advisory Committee with diverse industry leaders and an independent chair to guide post-coal transition economic growth and investment opportunities.
• Latrobe City Council endorses Transition Reserve Policy to drive economic diversification, growth and long-term job creation
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed a Transition Reserve Policy to support economic diversification, fund enabling infrastructure, attract new industries, and allocate future surpluses to drive long-term regional growth and jobs.
• South Gippsland immunisation sessions extended with extra times to support community after Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure
  Following Leongatha Healthcare Centre closure, immunisation sessions have been extended, offering full-range vaccines for children, adults, pregnant women, and at-risk groups, with extra times available for community bookings.
• Omeo gains new modular worker accommodation, supporting healthcare staff and strengthening regional community
  Omeo District Health's new modular worker accommodation is underway, providing housing for healthcare staff, supporting regional jobs, and helping the town attract and retain doctors, nurses, and essential workers.
• Darren Chester honours Gippsland farmers and workers on National Agriculture Day for vital regional contributions
  Darren Chester has praised Gippsland’s farmers and agricultural workers on National Agriculture Day, recognising their resilience, vital economic contribution and essential role in sustaining local communities and ensuring ongoing food security.
• Baw Baw Shire Council approves Roadside Trading Policy and Open Space Strategy following community feedback
  Baw Baw Council has adopted its new Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy and Open Space Strategy, following extensive community consultation to guide safe, vibrant, and accessible public spaces.
• Mayor Rochelle Halstead honoured with MAV 10-year Service Award for her dedication to local government
  Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has received the MAV 10-Year Service Award, recognising her decade of dedicated leadership, advocacy, and commitment to strengthening local government and the Bass Coast community.
• Community feedback wanted on East Gippsland Draft Engagement Policy to strengthen participation in local decision-making
  East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Community Engagement Policy, inviting input through surveys, drop-in sessions, and stakeholder consultation to strengthen participation in decision-making processes.
• Have your say on the draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy balance road access, submit by 28 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its Draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy, aiming to balance vibrant business activity with safe pedestrian access. Consultation runs 29 August - 28 September on Baw Baw Connect.
• Bass Coast Council leaders advocating events, infrastructure, recreation, coastal protection, public transport, and environmental conservation
  Bass Coast Council leaders held 12 Parliament meetings, advocating for events, infrastructure, recreation, coastal protection, public transport, and environmental conservation, seeking government support and funding for key community projects.
• Eat Drink Play Gippsland celebrates local flavours, award-winning cheeses, and culinary creations from passionate regional makers
  Eat Drink Play Gippsland showcases top restaurants, award-winning cheeses, and artisanal delights. From snacks to gourmet dishes, the festival celebrates local flavours and passionate makers, offering something delicious for every palate.
• Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
  Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season.
• Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
  The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project.
• Darren Chester urges federal support for forest scientists making Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry
  Darren Chester has urged the Albanese government to support credible forest scientists backing Australia's sustainable native hardwood timber industry, criticising activist influence and government bans harming regional jobs and communities.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor for six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground after 2019-20 bushfires
  Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath criticises Labor’s six-year delay restoring Thurra River Campground, highlighting unsafe facilities, limited capacity, and urgent need for infrastructure replacement to support local families and tourism.
• Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
  Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, inconveniencing locals
  Danny O'Brien condemns the Labor government for closing Sale and Bairnsdale courts on non-sitting days, restricting public access and causing significant inconvenience for Gippsland communities who rely on local court assistance.
• East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
  East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies.
• Tim Bull criticises sudden last-minute VLine reductions from six to three carriages, causing tension due to limited rolling stock
  Victorian country train passengers are forced to stand up to four hours after last-minute carriage cuts, with MP Tim Bull urging PSOs and additional services to protect booked seating.
• Danny O’Brien denounces Port Welshpool Coastguard funding snub despite 25-year-old vessel and critical rescue role
  Danny O’Brien criticised the state government for overlooking Port Welshpool Coastguard, leaving its 25-year-old vessel unreliable, and urged clarity and reconsideration of funding decisions for critical local rescue services.
• Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
  Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes.
• Martin Cameron demands Labor guarantee Traralgon PSOs won’t be removed amid redeployment to retail precincts
  Martin Cameron has urged the Allan Labor Government to guarantee PSOs won’t be removed from Traralgon, warning redeployment to shopping centres could compromise safety on the region’s already under-resourced rail network.
• Future of Orbost Project strengthens water access, supporting agricultural innovation and long-term regional growth
  The Future of Orbost Project supports farmers by clarifying water availability, facilitating licence transfers, and building resilience, driving innovation, productivity, diversification, and sustainable long-term growth in East Gippsland.
• Martin Cameron condemns Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, pledges action to combat knife crime
  Martin Cameron condemned the Allan Labor government for blocking Jack’s Law, pledging to introduce it if elected, giving police powers to combat knife crime, following its success in other Australian states.
• Wellington Shire Council invites open conversations on financial pressures impacting community services, roads, and facilities
  Wellington Shire Council faces rising costs, rate caps, and funding pressures, yet remains committed to delivering essential services and urging government reform to better support regional communities into the future.
• Southern Rural Water celebrates World Tourism Day 2025 while linking people, culture, nature, and sustainable regional tourism
  World Tourism Day 2025 highlights water’s role in southern Victoria, connecting people, culture, recreation, agriculture, and sustainable tourism while supporting communities, ecosystems, and Traditional Owner cultural heritage.
• Have your say on the 2027 transition to Pre-Prep and help shape early learning in South Gippsland
  South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from parents and carers to help shape how the Victorian government's 2027 Pre-Prep program is delivered locally to meet community needs.
• Tim Bull demands end to brumby shooting as pest and weed control programs face cuts
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull has urged the state government to scrap its costly brumby shooting program, criticising cuts to pest and weed control services vital for farmers and rural communities.
• Darren Chester applauds Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, showcasing student enthusiasm and schools' vital role in regional life
  Darren Chester joined Tim Bull at Metung Primary Footy Colours Day, praising student enthusiasm, community spirit, and schools' vital role in fostering connections, participation, and regional community life through fun events
• Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
  Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention.
• Martin Cameron demands action as data reveals dangerous one-star safety ratings on Latrobe Valley roads
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron has condemned the poor safety of Latrobe Valley roads, after state data revealed many key routes rated one or two stars, demanding urgent government action.
• David Littleproud urges Australians to support local farmers amid rising imported food and supermarket pressures
  Nationals Leader David Littleproud urges Australians to buy local food as farmers face soaring costs, supermarket pressures, and rising imports, warning inaction threatens food security and the future of Australian agriculture.
• Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
  Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal.
• David Littleproud says new mapping reveals Labor's renewables damage, strengthening the call for nuclear energy
  The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal has accused the Albanese government of removing veterans' rights to review bravery awards, warning proposed reforms undermine fairness, independence, and recognition of Australia's war heroes.
• Cowes Primary students visited Berninneit, meeting Mayor Halstead, exploring community spaces, learning about leadership and environment
  Curious Cowes Primary students meet Mayor Halstead at Berninneit, exploring local government, community spaces and environmental leadership during community walk visit.
• South Gippsland Eat, Drink Play Festival celebrates local food, drinks, live music, kids' activities, and outdoor fun and other updates
  Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns this spring at Leongatha Railway Precinct, showcasing regional food, drink, and live music. With daytime tastings, evening entertainment, and kids' activities, it's a family-friendly celebration of Gippsland.
• Applications open for 2026 South Coast Community Leadership Program Supporting Local Skills Development until 13 February 2026
  Applications are open for the free 2026 South Coast Community Leadership Program, helping locals build skills, connect with peers, and positively impact Bass Coast and South Gippsland communities. Apply by February 13.
• David Littleproud slams Labor's 2035 emissions reduction target as costly, and damaging to families, jobs, and communities
  Nationals leader David Littleproud criticised Labor's 2035 emissions target as reckless and costly, warning it would raise taxes, increase energy bills, hurt regional communities, and threaten jobs, families, and industries.
• Melina Bath criticises politicised VEAC, failing land management, while $1.4M could fund bushfire prevention, environmental services
  Melina Bath warns Victorian hunters and anglers against reduced services as Labor pushes VFA-GMA merger, urging proper funding, training, and enforcement to protect compliance, sustainability, and regional outdoor traditions.