❓ Opposition questions the adequacy of the government's compensation package for taxi plate owners affected by industry reforms, particularly the $20,000 transition payment and hardship fund access. The Minister defends the government's actions, citing generosity compared to other states and ongoing monitoring of the situation.
AnsweredQoN 380Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TAXIS — HARDSHIP FUND
380. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the government's
proposed changes to the taxi industry in Western Australia, which will have an
impact on many mum-and-dad investors across the state. Does the Minister for
Transport still maintain that a transition payment of $20 000 and very
restricted, limited access to a hardship payment is sufficient to compensate
taxi plate owners, many of whom are suffering significant loss, including the
possible loss of their homes?
380. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the government's
proposed changes to the taxi industry in Western Australia, which will have an
impact on many mum-and-dad investors across the state. Does the Minister for
Transport still maintain that a transition payment of $20 000 and very
restricted, limited access to a hardship payment is sufficient to compensate
taxi plate owners, many of whom are suffering significant loss, including the
possible loss of their homes?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
With regard to the transition and reform of the taxi industry, I believe that
the government has been very responsive and responsible to a long overdue need
for reform of the industry. This is something that also has a situation whereby
we are going to allow a better service to be provided for the broader
community. In challenging and looking at this we have undertaken a number of
things, some of which have involved more than what other jurisdictions have
done. For example, we have been able to withhold 20 per cent of the lease
plates off the marketplace, ensuring that we allow a more viable environment
for taxis. If New South Wales were to have undertaken something similar, it
would have cost the New South Wales government in the order of $600 million,
looking at the peak price of taxi plates. The New South Wales offer of $20 000
per plate was restricted to two licences. We have not had any restriction of
any sort. If we were to do a comparison, we would find that we have been very
generous in the way that we have considered this.
In looking at the hardship allowance, we have taken into
consideration a number of issues. At this point in time, I have not been
provided with the final definition of hardship, but we will continue to monitor
that, nor have I been provided with any information about the level of claims
at this point in time. A number of members in the party room have raised a number
of concerns, and I meet with members all the time. We are continuing to monitor
this. I have said all the way through that as a good government we will
continue to monitor this. We want to ensure that we provide the appropriate
response. We do not want to underpin any economic conditions. There has been a downturn
in the market. We have also been approached by country taxi plate owners who
are also looking to access payments when there will be no impact on the country
environment by the reform. We know conditions have toughened up because of the
economy. We know there will be an impact by the reform. We are continuing to
monitor it. I also need to wait for the definitions to be provided by the
Department of Transport as to the level of claims so that we can better
understand it. If we need further adjustments, we will make the appropriate
announcements at that time.
With regard to the transition and reform of the taxi industry, I believe that
the government has been very responsive and responsible to a long overdue need
for reform of the industry. This is something that also has a situation whereby
we are going to allow a better service to be provided for the broader
community. In challenging and looking at this we have undertaken a number of
things, some of which have involved more than what other jurisdictions have
done. For example, we have been able to withhold 20 per cent of the lease
plates off the marketplace, ensuring that we allow a more viable environment
for taxis. If New South Wales were to have undertaken something similar, it
would have cost the New South Wales government in the order of $600 million,
looking at the peak price of taxi plates. The New South Wales offer of $20 000
per plate was restricted to two licences. We have not had any restriction of
any sort. If we were to do a comparison, we would find that we have been very
generous in the way that we have considered this.
In looking at the hardship allowance, we have taken into
consideration a number of issues. At this point in time, I have not been
provided with the final definition of hardship, but we will continue to monitor
that, nor have I been provided with any information about the level of claims
at this point in time. A number of members in the party room have raised a number
of concerns, and I meet with members all the time. We are continuing to monitor
this. I have said all the way through that as a good government we will
continue to monitor this. We want to ensure that we provide the appropriate
response. We do not want to underpin any economic conditions. There has been a downturn
in the market. We have also been approached by country taxi plate owners who
are also looking to access payments when there will be no impact on the country
environment by the reform. We know conditions have toughened up because of the
economy. We know there will be an impact by the reform. We are continuing to
monitor it. I also need to wait for the definitions to be provided by the
Department of Transport as to the level of claims so that we can better
understand it. If we need further adjustments, we will make the appropriate
announcements at that time.
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