Transport continues to dominate Queensland’s pre-election news with the Premier Steven Miles defending Sunshine Coast direct rail and unions ramping up calls for 50c public transport fares to remain.
The premier, deputy premier and transport minister opened an information and engagement centre for the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail on Wednesday, detailing plans for the line’s $5.5 billion first stage that will cover 19km from Beerwah to Caloundra.
Work on the project is set to begin in 2026 that will provide quicker journeys and greater public transport access to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles is fielding calls to make 50c public transport fares permanent. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
Deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie accused the government of pulling the wool over Sunshine Coast residents’ eyes as the rail line does not extend further north to Maroochydore.
He told reporters on Wednesday that Caloundra will be a “car park” under the current proposal.
“It will create a car park in Caloundra more than what’s there at the moment,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Traffic congestion will be worse under the Labor government’s commitment of rail into Caloundra.
“We need Sunshine Coast direct rail right through to Maroochydore and only the Liberal National Party is promising to get that rail connection.”
But Mr Miles has defended the proposal and indicated a staged build is the viable option ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The business case was very clear that the best way to get to Maroochydore is to stage the project and go to Caloundra first,” he said on Wednesday.
No timelines have been given for delivering stage two and three.
The premier is also fielding calls from unions to make permanent 50c public transport fares that have come into effect in a six-month trial.
A petition by Queensland Unions to keep the nearly-free fares has reached almost 2000 signatures since the trial began on Monday.
The peak body represents more than 400,000 workers across the state.
“What we need next is confirmation that this trial isn’t just an exercise in vote buying but represents an ongoing commitment by the Miles Labor government to measures that will help alleviate not only rising cost of living, but also congestion on our roads and climate impact,” Unions General Secretary Jacqueline King said.
Fifty-cent public buses, ferries and trains are part of several cost-of-living initiatives spruiked by the government ahead of the October 26 state election.
Others include $1000 energy rebates for households, 20 per cent off car registration and free kindergarten that began in 2024.
Mr Miles has also made another bold cost-of-living pitch to voters, promising to establish state-owned petrol stations and capped fuel price rises if re-elected.
That move has been welcomed by federal treasurer Jim Chalmers but he has conceded no plans are in place for a similar national initiative.
“I commend the Queensland Government because they have been prepared to think outside the square when it comes to dealing with cost of living pressures,” he told ABC Radio National.
“It’s not something that we’re contemplating at the national level, but I welcome the Queensland government’s efforts to take the pressure off people.”
Mr Miles trails Liberal National Party opposition leader David Crisafulli in polling, with 80 days until the election.
Australian Associated Press
