Bus drivers’ strike delays commuters, Miles on ‘borrowed time’ as opposition leader, says LNP minister

Opposition Leader Steven Miles is on borrowed time and Labor Party “sharks” are working behind the scenes to oust him, a senior LNP minister has claimed in a fiery spray on the floor of parliament.

The attack came following questions on the future of 50¢ fares yesterday, with Labor asking if the government would support legislation ensuring continuation of the policy.

“Fifty-cent fares are permanent under the LNP, but the future of the opposition leader is not,” Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said.

“The sharks are circling – the member for Waterford [Shannon Fentiman], the member for Gaven [Meaghan Scanlon]. The opposition leader is living on borrowed time Mr Speaker, he is living on borrowed time.”

Mickelberg did not say why he believed a leadership spill was likely.

Transport was a central theme of question time on Wednesday, with Labor also asking if the government had plans to bring back subsidised travel on the privately owned Airtrain line.

“The Labor Party are quite fond of claiming credit for LNP policies, like 50¢ fares,” the transport minister said.

“What did they do when they had 10 years to fund it? They squibbed it. That’s the Labor Party’s record.

“If we look at the Airtrain, the case is exactly the same. Six months of Labor Party commitment to reduce the price by 50 per cent – under political pressure, I might add.”