Media Release

Media Release
7/24/2015

Casino will breathe new life into small business – taxi industry

Queensland’s taxi peak body believes Brisbane’s new casino will stimulate local tourism and small business in a way the city has not seen since World Expo.

Taxi Council Queensland chief executive officer Benjamin Wash said the state’s taxi industry is made up of over 15,000 small business owners, who are just some of those that will benefit from projects like casinos and cruise ship terminals.

He said the industry has developed its tourism image over the past few years through close engagement with other tourism industry participants, and will be ready to be the ‘face of Queensland’ when the casino opens.

“Taxi drivers are often the first people tourists see when they arrive and the last they see before they depart, and we’ve been implementing a tourism ambassador program across Queensland for the past few years.”

Mr Wash is also expecting to

Media Release
July 13, 2015

Queensland’s taxi industry is mobilising resources to stamp out illegal taxi services that continue to operate despite being ordered by the Government to stop.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) has announced a new member-driven campaign encouraging owners, operators and drivers to engage their local MP’s and reinforce the importance of upholding the rule of law.

“Our members, some 15,000 small business owners, are resilient and strong and are determined to spread the message about right versus wrong,” said chief executive officer Benjamin Wash.

“It’s these law-abiding mums and dads and retirees who have invested their life savings, who could be sent to the wall if the law is not upheld and anyone is allowed to flout regulations.”

TCQ has also congratulated the Palaszczuk Government for staying strong in the battle against illegal taxis.

“The State Government, particularly the Deputy Premier, has been prepared to make strong comments in the public domain

Media Release
4/15/2015

Queensland’s Taxi Council has accused sections of the media of “blindly following the spin” disseminated by illegal ride-hailing company uberX, and ignoring the legitimate safety concerns of experts.

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) chief executive officer Benjamin Wash was referring to an article that appeared in Fairfax media this week warning Australian businesses that allowing staff to use uberX instead of taxis risked heavy penalties under work safety laws.

The article stated that “workplace lawyers are voicing major concerns about employers that permit staff use of the controversial service because it could breach their duty of care.”

Law firm Holding Redlich said uberX “should be banned by employers because the service was unlicensed and unregulated and there were no in-car surveillance cameras, used in taxis, to deter assaults.”

Mr Wash said that TCQ had been voicing these concerns for a long while and that much was “common sense”, however some parts

Media Statement
2/20/2015

The following is attributed to Benjamin Wash, CEO Taxi Council Queensland

Taxi Council Queensland congratulates new Transport Minister Jackie Trad on her appointment and we look forward to a strong relationship with the new Palaszczuk Government.

I found Jackie to be responsive to the needs of our industry as opposition transport spokesperson and I am confident that the new Labor Government recognises the important role played by the taxi industry in Queensland.

The state’s taxi industry is unique in that we move over one hundred million people each year, yet are fully privatised with no government subsidies.

This highlights the importance of supporting the tens of thousands of small business people who own, operate and drive taxis, particularly by ensuring that anyone who seeks to start a taxi service competes on a level playing field and meets regulations that protect customers.

We welcome Labor’s strong pre-election commitment to uphold the

Enforcing a common closing time for licensed venues in South East Queensland entertainment precincts will cause transport chaos and may lead to more violence, warns the state’s peak taxi body.
Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) says the debate so far has ignored the practical issue of moving so many people at one time.

TCQ chief operating officer Wayne Crookes says there are enough taxis on the road to handle normal demand during busy weekends.

“Currently we successfully move tens of thousands of people every weekend from the entertainment precincts with minimal waiting times, mostly through our secure ranks,” he explained.

However a common closing time will create major delays and he is concerned about the ramifications of thousands of intoxicated young people roaming the streets unable to get home.

“The result of a lack of transport may be that young people will attempt to drive while intoxicated or walk home alone late at night, placing their