❓ Hon Simon O'Brien questions the disparity between the Taxi Council's requested 9.1% taxi fare increase and the government's approved 2.6%, inquiring about the basis for the government's decision. Hon Adele Farina explains the government's decision was based on the CPI, while the Taxi Council's request focused solely on fuel cost increases.
AnsweredQoN 1166Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TAXI FARES - INCREASE
It is a form of Russian roulette, is it not? I refer to the latest increase in taxi fares of 2.6 per cent and ask - should I ask? (1) Is it the case that the Taxi Council of Western Australia on behalf of the industry requested a 9.1 per cent increase? (2) If so, why is there such a big difference between the position of the government and the submission of the industry’s peak body? (3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA
It is a form of Russian roulette, is it not? I refer to the latest increase in taxi fares of 2.6 per cent and ask - should I ask? (1) Is it the case that the Taxi Council of Western Australia on behalf of the industry requested a 9.1 per cent increase? (2) If so, why is there such a big difference between the position of the government and the submission of the industry’s peak body? (3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(1) Is it the case that the Taxi Council of Western Australia on behalf of the industry requested a 9.1 per cent increase? (2) If so, why is there such a big difference between the position of the government and the submission of the industry’s peak body? (3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(2) If so, why is there such a big difference between the position of the government and the submission of the industry’s peak body? (3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(1) Is it the case that the Taxi Council of Western Australia on behalf of the industry requested a 9.1 per cent increase? (2) If so, why is there such a big difference between the position of the government and the submission of the industry’s peak body? (3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(2) If so, why is there such a big difference between the position of the government and the submission of the industry’s peak body? (3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(3) Does the government’s decision of 2.6 per cent address only inflation or does it also seek to recognise rising operating costs? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(1) The Taxi Council of Western Australia wrote to the government on 28 September 2007 requesting a 9.1 per cent fare increase. (2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(2) The 2.6 per cent increase was in line with the consumer price index for Perth, as determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12 months to September 2007. The 9.1 per cent increase proposed by the Taxi Council was based on the increase in the cost of fuel in the June quarter only - fuel is one component. (3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
(3) Fare increases in the metropolitan area are usually based on the annual movement in the private motoring index, PMI, produced by the ABS for the September quarter. The PMI takes into account specific costs associated with the taxi industry, including fuel and vehicle costs and the cost of repairs and parts. Fuel is the second largest component of the PMI after the cost of the vehicle. However, the PMI for the 12 months to September 2007 is not yet available from the ABS, but it is likely to be less than the CPI. Ironically, the Taxi Council’s position up to now has been that fare increases should be based on the CPI.
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