❓ Mr Hatton questions the Minister for Transport on creating a level playing field for the taxi industry amidst the rise of on-demand transport. The Minister responds by highlighting the government's green paper, public consultation, and criticizes the opposition's support for ACT reforms.
AnsweredQoN 828Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ON-DEMAND TRANSPORT INDUSTRY — GREEN PAPER
828. Mr C.D. HATTON to the
Minister for Transport:
Can the minister please advise the house on how he is
proposing to create a level playing field for the taxi industry in Western
Australia and what other states are doing in this space?
828. Mr C.D. HATTON to the
Minister for Transport:
Can the minister please advise the house on how he is
proposing to create a level playing field for the taxi industry in Western
Australia and what other states are doing in this space?
AnswerView source ↗
Members may be aware that 12 weeks ago I released a green
paper on reforming the on-demand transport industry.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : On releasing the green paper for public comment, I outlined
that the state government is committed to sensible reform and the reduction of
red tape in the taxi industry. That will create a level playing field and
provide a safe and reliable service for consumers. Hundreds of Western
Australians have already had a say on that matter. In fact, to date we have had
594 online surveys returned and 35 written submissions received so far. The
comment period is due to close at the end of this week. We have also undertaken
a widespread consultation program with many in the industry, including drivers
from Perth and five regional centres. Public information displays and
interviews with members of the public in shopping centres and other places were
conducted in Perth and the same five regional centres.
One of the things that has been
pleasing to say is that Tasmania has held up our green paper as potentially the
way forward for it, and is looking to follow suit. The member for West Swan is
laughing over there. The member for West Swan actually went on the radio —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! That is enough.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I was very interested to listen to the member for West Swan on
720 ABC at the start of the month.
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Order, member for West Swan! A quick answer please, minister.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Certainly. The interesting thing about the member for West
Swan —
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : The member will be
embarrassed about being reminded of what she said on radio. On the ABC she
actually hailed the Australian Capital Territory reforms. Let us have a close look
at these ACT reforms. Their long-term goal was to drop taxi licence fees down
to $5 000, while hire cars in the ACT will pay only $100, and ride-sharing will
pay only $100, or even $80 with a discount fare. This government will not
support taxidrivers paying 50 times more than the ride-sharing community. That
is what Labor is promoting as the solution to move forward. It is promoting
that as a solution. The member for West Swan was on the radio supporting what
the ACT is doing, and its long-term solution is still to have a multiple of 50
times the difference. We are working on creating a level playing field for the
industry. We are working through those reforms in a sensible fashion. I look
forward to the finalisation of the commentary period, and to taking to cabinet
the appropriate recommendations for the future of the industry.
paper on reforming the on-demand transport industry.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.C. NALDER : On releasing the green paper for public comment, I outlined
that the state government is committed to sensible reform and the reduction of
red tape in the taxi industry. That will create a level playing field and
provide a safe and reliable service for consumers. Hundreds of Western
Australians have already had a say on that matter. In fact, to date we have had
594 online surveys returned and 35 written submissions received so far. The
comment period is due to close at the end of this week. We have also undertaken
a widespread consultation program with many in the industry, including drivers
from Perth and five regional centres. Public information displays and
interviews with members of the public in shopping centres and other places were
conducted in Perth and the same five regional centres.
One of the things that has been
pleasing to say is that Tasmania has held up our green paper as potentially the
way forward for it, and is looking to follow suit. The member for West Swan is
laughing over there. The member for West Swan actually went on the radio —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members! That is enough.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I was very interested to listen to the member for West Swan on
720 ABC at the start of the month.
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Order, member for West Swan! A quick answer please, minister.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Certainly. The interesting thing about the member for West
Swan —
Ms
R. Saffioti interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr D.C. NALDER : The member will be
embarrassed about being reminded of what she said on radio. On the ABC she
actually hailed the Australian Capital Territory reforms. Let us have a close look
at these ACT reforms. Their long-term goal was to drop taxi licence fees down
to $5 000, while hire cars in the ACT will pay only $100, and ride-sharing will
pay only $100, or even $80 with a discount fare. This government will not
support taxidrivers paying 50 times more than the ride-sharing community. That
is what Labor is promoting as the solution to move forward. It is promoting
that as a solution. The member for West Swan was on the radio supporting what
the ACT is doing, and its long-term solution is still to have a multiple of 50
times the difference. We are working on creating a level playing field for the
industry. We are working through those reforms in a sensible fashion. I look
forward to the finalisation of the commentary period, and to taking to cabinet
the appropriate recommendations for the future of the industry.
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