Category Archives: headline

Push for public transport to be made free in Victoria as petrol prices soar

The Victorian Premier is rejecting calls for his government to offer free public transport for at least a month to combat the exceptionally high petrol prices at the moment.

The push for free public transport to help ease the cost of living for Victorians comes as the Tasmanian Government has announced it will offer free bus journeys for five weeks in response to rising petrol prices.

The New Zealand Government has also moved to halve public transport fares for the next three months in response to the global hike in petrol prices caused by Russia invading Ukraine.

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The price of petrol has risen above $2.20 at some outlets and prices are expected to keep increasing.

Victorian Greens MP Sam Hibbins is leading the call for free public transport in Victoria.

"With petrol prices now soaring and the cost of living rising for so many Victorians, now is the time for the government to support the shift away from expensive, polluting, petrol vehicles," he said outside parliament today.

"They can do that by immediately making public transport free for the next month."

Mr Hibbins has estimated the move would cost the government about $75 million and and would make a significant impact on reducing the cost of living for Victorians.

"But it could be significantly cheaper than that," he said.

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Speaking on behalf of the Opposition, David Southwick MP agreed the move would "be a great way to re-energise the city".

However, Premier Daniel Andrews has not favoured the idea.

When asked about it today he instead pointed to the fact the Prime Minister is expected to cut the 44 cent per litre tax on petrol in the Federal Budget, which is set to be handed down on Tuesday.

Everything you need to know about Easter holidays in 2022

Easter is fast approaching for 2022 with Australia to celebrate a more normal holiday weekend this year as most COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.

Traditional events are set to go ahead this year including church services and the iconic Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The long weekend will provide a much-needed break for many Australians looking to spend time with family and friends or looking to celebrate the time off.

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The Sydney Royal Easter Show on 05 April, 2021. Photo: Brook Mitchell

Here is what you need to know about the Easter weekend this year.

When is Easter 2022?

Easter is in April this year, with Easter Sunday falling on April 17.

Good Friday falls on April 15 and Easter Saturday is on the following day, April 16.

Good Friday is a public holiday across all states and territories.

Is Easter Monday a public holiday?

Yes, Easter Monday is a public holiday and it will fall on April 18 providing a much anticipated long weekend for many Australians.

People enjoy the ferris wheel on Good Friday in 2021 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

How is Easter determined?

The date of Easter is calculated from the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox in March, so sometimes the holiday falls in March and sometimes is in April.

Some churches celebrate Easter on a different day, including the Greek church.

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Sydney Catholic Arcbishop Anthony Fisher addresses the congregation during Easter Sunday Solemn Mass at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. April 4, 2021: Photograph by James Alcock/NINE Media.

When are the Easter school holidays?

School holidays over the Easter period differ in each state and territory.

In NSW and Victoria, the Easter school holidays are from Saturday, April 9 to Monday, April 25.

In Queensland, the school holidays are from Saturday, April 2 to Monday, April 18.

In South Australia and Tasmania, the holidays are from Friday, April 15 to Sunday, May 1.

In Western Australia, the school holidays start on Saturday, April 9 and finish on Monday, April 25.

In the Northern Territory, the school holidays are from Saturday, April 9 to Monday, April 18.

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People ride The Beast, which reaches speeds of 120km/h and swings 38 metres high while doing a 360 degree spin, at the The Sydney Royal Easter Show on 05 April, 2021. Photo: Brook Mitchell

When is the Sydney Royal Easter Show?

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is an iconic part of the city's event schedule drawing many visitors from interstate to take part in the two-week extravaganza

This year, the show will run from Friday, April 8 to Tuesday, April 19.

Tickets can be purchased online via the Sydney Royal Easter Show website or at the gate.

However, organisers are urging people to buy the tickets online due to crowd limits this year.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show will go ahead for 2022.

Only 80,000 people will be allowed to attend the show each day.

"We've capped the audience everyday at 80,000, so when you come into the show, it's going to be a much more pleasant environment," General Manager of the Sydney Royal Easter Show Murray Wilton said.

Tickets are $41 for adults and $23.50 for children.

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Double demerits will take effect from midnight December 21 through until the new year.

When do double demerit points start for the Easter weekend?

Double demerit points start for the long weekend in NSW, the ACT, Western Australia, from Good Friday on April 14 to Easter Monday on April 18.

Drivers can expect additional police operations on the road for the long weekend.

Victoria, South Australia the Northern Territory and Tasmania do not have a double demerits scheme.