ISTANBUL
Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania on Sunday announced free public transport services in response to rising fuel prices driven by an escalating Middle East conflict, local media reported.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the state government would make all public transport services free for a month from Tuesday, local broadcaster SBS News reported.
She said that the measure would make it more affordable for people to choose public transport amid a spike in fuel prices.
Tasmanians will benefit from even a longer period of free public transport, with free travel on buses and ferries until June 30.
Neither the Victorian nor Tasmanian governments has indicated that the measures will become permanent.
In contrast, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia have ruled out following the suit as their governments said they are focusing on other forms of cost-of-living relief.
According to the Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP), petroleum prices in Australia have hit a record 27% increase since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a related development, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday announced that his government will underwrite the purchase of essential products affected by the conflict in the Middle East 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 to rage since Israel and the US 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.