Opposition questions the Transport Minister on the apparent abolition of the Taxi Industry Board despite the Taxi Act mandating its existence, funding for the Taxi Industry Council, and the legal basis for these actions. The Minister's response is evasive and contradictory.

AnsweredQoN 86Legislative Council
Asked
17 August 2000
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Will the minister explain how he has managed to abolish the Taxi Industry Board without changing the Taxi Act 1994, which mandates the establishment of such a board? (2) What legal advice did the minister obtain on the matter? (3) Will the minister confirm that he has pledged $150 000 to the Taxi Industry Council, which he has dictated will now provide the functions previously provided by the Taxi Industry Board? (4) What is the source of these funds and have they already been paid? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(4) I think the election of the Taxi Industry Council will follow the annual general meeting in the near future. That matter is being dealt with. We will maintain a Taxi Industry Board, and we will look at repealing that section of the Act. Hon Tom Stephens: Sorry, you will maintain the board? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
(2) What legal advice did the minister obtain on the matter? (3) Will the minister confirm that he has pledged $150 000 to the Taxi Industry Council, which he has dictated will now provide the functions previously provided by the Taxi Industry Board? (4) What is the source of these funds and have they already been paid? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE replied: (1)-(4) I think the election of the Taxi Industry Council will follow the annual general meeting in the near future. That matter is being dealt with. We will maintain a Taxi Industry Board, and we will look at repealing that section of the Act. Hon Tom Stephens: Sorry, you will maintain the board? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
(3) Will the minister confirm that he has pledged $150 000 to the Taxi Industry Council, which he has dictated will now provide the functions previously provided by the Taxi Industry Board? (4) What is the source of these funds and have they already been paid? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE replied: (1)-(4) I think the election of the Taxi Industry Council will follow the annual general meeting in the near future. That matter is being dealt with. We will maintain a Taxi Industry Board, and we will look at repealing that section of the Act. Hon Tom Stephens: Sorry, you will maintain the board? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
(4) What is the source of these funds and have they already been paid? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE replied: (1)-(4) I think the election of the Taxi Industry Council will follow the annual general meeting in the near future. That matter is being dealt with. We will maintain a Taxi Industry Board, and we will look at repealing that section of the Act. Hon Tom Stephens: Sorry, you will maintain the board? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
Hon M.J. CRIDDLE replied: (1)-(4) I think the election of the Taxi Industry Council will follow the annual general meeting in the near future. That matter is being dealt with. We will maintain a Taxi Industry Board, and we will look at repealing that section of the Act. Hon Tom Stephens: Sorry, you will maintain the board? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
(1)-(4) I think the election of the Taxi Industry Council will follow the annual general meeting in the near future. That matter is being dealt with. We will maintain a Taxi Industry Board, and we will look at repealing that section of the Act. Hon Tom Stephens: Sorry, you will maintain the board? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
Hon Tom Stephens: Sorry, you will maintain the board? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: Yes. We will put in place a board to operate but not to function, so to speak. Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
Hon N.D. Griffiths: To operate but not to function? Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.
Hon M.J. CRIDDLE: In a sense, it will be in place but will not be functioning. I understand that the Government intended to put some funds into the council, and it is due to receive some of those funds almost immediately. I have spoken to one of the members of the taxi industry who will be involved in that, and that is being put in place.

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