The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has contacted the Premier Jacinta Allan and the Minister for Public and Active Transport, Gabrielle Williams, to urgently address the transport needs of the Shepparton electorate and urged the Premier to work with the Federal Government pressing for immediate relief at the bowser, including a reduction in fuel excise and direct engagement with fuel wholesalers to ensure supply is reaching regional communities.
Ms O’Keeffe said she has been inundated with calls from distressed locals concerned about fuel shortages, rising costs and the flow-on effects for food prices, small businesses and farming operations.
“As fuel prices continue to soar and supply becomes increasingly unreliable, families in regional areas are being hit the hardest and they have the fewest alternatives.
“The Allan Labor Government’s decision to make public transport free across Victoria should benefit all Victorians but it highlights the total disregard and acknowledgement of the current transport issues currently faced in the Shepparton District electorate,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
Ms O’Keeffe said while cost of living relief is urgently needed, the government must acknowledge that a metro-focused response ignores the disproportionate impact the fuel crisis is having on rural and regional areas of the state.
“Free public transport is welcomed and I urge the government to ensure that all households including rural and regional communities can benefit.
“We know cost of living is already pushing people to the limit and we know people are cutting back on food and are struggling to pay their bills in order to keep a roof over their head.
“Whilst the government encourages the use of public transport and offering it for free, we don’t have adequate public bus and train services. We have parts of the electorate with minimal or no bus services at all.
“This has been an ongoing issue and something that myself, local bus companies, the local council and the community have been calling for the Minister and the government to address.
“If you want to get a train, you can’t get a bus to get to the station because there are very few services. The government has let our community down by ignoring our transport needs for far too long and needs to urgently provide our bus companies with the increased services that out community needs.
“And there is no better time than right now during this time of crisis. It has been over 16 years since we last had a bus review and the current fuel crisis highlights the level of appalling neglect.
“The Minister for Public and Active Transport recently announced the completion of the Shepparton Line Upgrade, yet we have still not had the increased five to nine daily return Shepparton to Melbourne services. We are already experiencing overcrowding which will only escalate with this recent announcement.
“These extra services should be already happening and should be increased immediately,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
To help bring attention to the scale of the crisis, Ms O’Keeffe is encouraging locals to also report fuel shortages through a website launched by The Nationals.
The “No Fuel Here” website gives communities a way to show government’s exactly where the shortages are happening Ms O’Keeffe said.
Residents who know of a service station that has run out of fuel are encouraged to report it at www.nofuelhere.com.au
