The ACT's opposition will call for parking and public transport to be free on evenings and on weekends over the summer, saying it would provide a much needed boost to the territory's economy following lockdown.
A motion will call on the government to encourage more Canberrans into town centres by making ACT government car parks free after 6pm and on weekends in town centres until March 2022. It will also call for public transport to be free over the same period.
The Canberra Liberals business spokeswoman Leanne Castley will move the motion in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Thursday afternoon.
"Canberra's economic recovery relies on businesses being able to operate, but also on getting people through the door and spending," Ms Castley said.
"Now the ACT has reached 95 per cent of our population fully vaccinated, the Canberra Liberals want to get people back to our town centres and back to spending money with local business to stimulate our economy.
"By making public transport and government parking free after 6pm, we can encourage more Canberrans to head into town centres and the city during the summer months."
The government is set to put forward an amended motion.
Parking was free at ACT government car parks during the lockdown. This stopped at the start of the month.
Ms Castley pointed to Google mobility data which showed shopping centres and cafe attendance recorded a 41 per cent drop during lockdown, and said this showed the need for her proposal.
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"This initiative alone won't solve the issues businesses are facing after nine weeks of lockdown and as a result of ongoing restrictions, but it will encourage more people spending with local hospitality and retail businesses," she said.
"We encourage the Labor-Greens government to look at policy that drives economic growth and brings hospitality and retail jobs back to Canberra."
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has previously said he expected that money spent over the Christmas period would help the ACT's economy to rebound.
He said some Canberrans had an "extraordinary" amount of disposable income and would spend massively over the coming months.
