❓ A parliamentary question regarding delays in processing taxi driver applications in regional WA, specifically Broome, and potential solutions like processing applications in country licensing centres. The Minister acknowledges the delays but defends the current centralised process.
AnsweredQoN 479Legislative Council
Asked
20 June 2007
Member
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL TAXI INDUSTRY
I refer to the minister’s letter, reference 01-013513, regarding the regional taxi industry and the delays experienced by Broome taxidriver applicants. (1) Is the minister aware that Broome applicants claim that despite them providing full supporting documentation, processing is taking up to 10 weeks rather than 10 days referred to in the minister’s letter? (2) Is the minister aware that the delay is causing some prospective taxidrivers to turn to other employment and can lead to a gap in services? (3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
I refer to the minister’s letter, reference 01-013513, regarding the regional taxi industry and the delays experienced by Broome taxidriver applicants. (1) Is the minister aware that Broome applicants claim that despite them providing full supporting documentation, processing is taking up to 10 weeks rather than 10 days referred to in the minister’s letter? (2) Is the minister aware that the delay is causing some prospective taxidrivers to turn to other employment and can lead to a gap in services? (3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(1) Is the minister aware that Broome applicants claim that despite them providing full supporting documentation, processing is taking up to 10 weeks rather than 10 days referred to in the minister’s letter? (2) Is the minister aware that the delay is causing some prospective taxidrivers to turn to other employment and can lead to a gap in services? (3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(2) Is the minister aware that the delay is causing some prospective taxidrivers to turn to other employment and can lead to a gap in services? (3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(1) Is the minister aware that Broome applicants claim that despite them providing full supporting documentation, processing is taking up to 10 weeks rather than 10 days referred to in the minister’s letter? (2) Is the minister aware that the delay is causing some prospective taxidrivers to turn to other employment and can lead to a gap in services? (3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(2) Is the minister aware that the delay is causing some prospective taxidrivers to turn to other employment and can lead to a gap in services? (3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(3) What consideration, if any, has been given to processing “T” applications in country licensing centres? (4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(4) What impediments preclude the processing of applications for “T” endorsements in country licensing centres? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(1) The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently processing applications received on 12 June 2007. Delays beyond the control of the DPI can and do occur when additional medical information is required or feedback from police jurisdictions is slow. (2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(2) No. (3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(3) The DPI’s licensing business unit is cognisant of the requirement to continually review and improve its processes. However, at this stage, the processing of these applications in country licensing centres is not a viable or efficient option. (4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
(4) The approval process is relatively complex and requires the assessment of an applicant’s medical, criminal and traffic history. The applications may be required to be referred to DPI’s contracted occupational health physician, to the legal services area or before a licensing suitability conference for assessment and recommendation. The final approval is given by a delegate of the DPI’s director general. This centralised process is required to ensure that safe, honest and competent persons operate commercial vehicles within Western Australia, and that decisions pertaining to suitability are consistent.
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