Victoria and Tasmania will provide free public transport to ease cost-of-living pressures as fuel prices soar due to West Asia conflict.
ISTANBUL: The Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania have announced free public transport services in response to surging fuel prices driven by the escalating conflict in West Asia.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed that all public transport in the state would be free for a month starting from Tuesday.
She stated that the measure would make it more affordable for people to choose public transport amid a spike in fuel prices.
Tasmanians will benefit from an even longer period, with free travel on buses and ferries continuing until June 30.
Neither the Victorian nor Tasmanian governments has indicated that these free travel measures will become permanent.
In contrast, the states of New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia have ruled out following suit.
Governments in those states said they are focusing on other forms of cost-of-living relief instead.
According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum, fuel prices in Australia have hit a record 27% increase since the outbreak of the ongoing West Asia conflict.
In a related development, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Saturday that his government would underwrite the purchase of essential products affected by the conflict under new fuel security measures.
Albanese will meet with state and territory leaders to discuss further measures to prevent fuel shortages on Monday.
Regional escalations have continued since Israel and the United States launched an offensive against Iran on Feb 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
