Media Release
May 25, 2017

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Queensland’s peak taxi body has declared that the fight to protect small businesses and ensure customers of personalised transport are protected will be an election issue, despite yesterday’s legislation passed by State Parliament.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) CEO Benjamin Wash said the State Government had yet again proven its lack of knowledge and foresight and has let down over 16,000 small business operators, millions of Queenslanders and vulnerable sectors like the disabled community.

Calling it “bad policy for Queensland”, he said that an uneven playing field in the personalised transport space is now enshrined in law.

“The Government has also turned its back on people in wheelchairs and on minimum working conditions for drivers in the personalised transport sector.”

He said the message to small business is clear; “Cut corners in order to cut costs so that consumers can save a buck at the expense of workers and the most vulnerable in the community.”

“I hope the Premier and Government are happy that they have compromised the wellbeing and safety of Queenslanders by ensuring booked hire services are under no obligation to implement any safety and service standards.

However he said despite the setback, the fight will go on, pledging to ensure that “every MP who does not support good legislation and common sense transport at the next election will have a fight on their hands”.

TCQ members have funded the council to target every seat in Queensland at the next state election.

“We will move heaven and earth to ensure that in the lead up to the election, every Queenslander knows how this government has treated small business and that no industry is safe.

“Legislation can be changed and we will fight until the right legislation is passed. Do not underestimate our resolve!”
ENDS

Media Release
May 19, 2017

The chief executive of Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) says this week’s revelation that a fake ride-sourcing driver attempted to pick up a Gold Coast woman, should send shivers down the spine of every Queensland MP.

Benjamin Wash said TCQ has been warning of events like this – which have happened several times previously – ever since the Government allowed ride sourcing. He said it only reinforces the importance of strong, safety based legislation in the personalised transport sector.

“We cannot downplay this incident. When an unauthorised person with an unknown motive tries to pick up someone in a vehicle it is an attempted abduction, plain and simple!

“This is a direct result of the State Government’s dereliction of their duty to protect Queenslanders and legislators should act immediately to ensure that this cannot happen.”

Mr Wash said the Taxi Council has called for proper identification of all vehicles in the personalised transport sector because currently it is far too easy for people with criminal intent to take advantage of vulnerable people.

“What if this person was intoxicated or had a mental disability? I can guarantee that many people would not have had the presence of mind of this lady and would have gotten into this car.

“If this is not fixed someone will be seriously hurt or even die, but let’s not wait until that happens before we implement sensible, consistent, safety based regulations for all taxis and ride sourcing vehicles.”

Mr Wash emphasised that uber was not at fault for this incident, but it highlighted the need for ride sourcing vehicles to provide the same level of protection to consumers as taxis.

“It is the State Government that is at fault here.”

TCQ has recently called on all Queensland MPs to implement 20 key points which will ensure common sense transport for Queensland.
ENDS

Media Release
May 16, 2017

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has labelled the recommendations from the parliamentary committee overseeing the Personalised Transport Reform Amendment Bill 2017’, “a political whitewash” and accused the State Government of intentionally delaying the issue until after the next state election.

TCQ chief executive officer Benjamin Wash said the recommendations fall far short of legislation that is required to provide Queenslanders with an effective personalised transport service.

“While a couple of the recommendations are consistent with our 20-point common sense transport solution, overall this doesn’t protect consumers, drivers or owners of either taxis or ride-sourcing vehicles,” he said.

He said there were a few valid points like a register of disaffiliated drivers and the requirement for all drivers to have public liability insurance, but overall it was a cop-out.

“These recommendations show just how clueless the Government is in this space and only highlights the need for an independent transport commission as we have suggested and as the LNP has endorsed.

“Politicians simply cannot be trusted to get this right.”

Mr Wash said the committee’s deferral for 18 months of key points like security cameras proves that the Government is trying to delay making decisions until after the next election, potentially throwing it forward to the next government.

“Waiting 18 months before insisting on security cameras in all vehicles is irresponsible and clearly an attempt to pander to ride-sourcing companies who don’t care about customer safety.

“I challenge anyone to tell me that the risk to the passenger is the same in a car with or without a camera. If cameras did not reduce risk and lead to greater prosecution of offenders then why are they in every other form of transport and indeed used across venues and public spaces?

He said that drivers and customers required the protection that TCQ’s 20 points – which include cameras in all personalised transport vehicles – provide.

“Our plan is simply common sense, something that the Government clearly lacks.”
ENDS