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