❓ Hon. Ken Travers questions the Minister for Transport regarding the criteria for suspending or cancelling taxi driver T extensions due to criminal conduct, and the process for informing the Department of Transport of allegations against taxi drivers. The Minister confirms a process exists and a formal agreement is being developed.
AnsweredQoN 123Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TAXIDRIVERS — BEHAVIOUR
123. Hon KEN TRAVERS to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Minister for Transport's answer to
question without notice 104 asked last week.
(1) If being
charged with possession of a smoking implement or trespass does not result in
the automatic suspension or cancellation of a T extension—taxi
extension—can the minister explain what type of criminal conduct will
result in automatic suspension or cancellation of a T extension, as outlined in
a letter to taxidrivers?
(2) Does the
Department of Transport have a process in place to ensure that taxidrivers are
aware of any allegations made directly to the police regarding any criminal
activity by a taxidriver, even in instances when the Western Australia Police
elect not to investigate or press charges?
(3) If yes to
(2), is there is a formal written agreement or understanding on the exchange of
this type of information, and will the minister table it?
(4) If no to
(3), will the minister outline the process that is in place to ensure that the
Department of Transport is aware of all allegations made about taxidrivers?
123. Hon KEN TRAVERS to the minister representing the
Minister for Transport:
I refer to the Minister for Transport's answer to
question without notice 104 asked last week.
(1) If being
charged with possession of a smoking implement or trespass does not result in
the automatic suspension or cancellation of a T extension—taxi
extension—can the minister explain what type of criminal conduct will
result in automatic suspension or cancellation of a T extension, as outlined in
a letter to taxidrivers?
(2) Does the
Department of Transport have a process in place to ensure that taxidrivers are
aware of any allegations made directly to the police regarding any criminal
activity by a taxidriver, even in instances when the Western Australia Police
elect not to investigate or press charges?
(3) If yes to
(2), is there is a formal written agreement or understanding on the exchange of
this type of information, and will the minister table it?
(4) If no to
(3), will the minister outline the process that is in place to ensure that the
Department of Transport is aware of all allegations made about taxidrivers?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question. The Minister for Transport advises —
(1) Despite
opposition and criticism by the member to many aspects of the state government's
reform plans for the WA taxi industry, the Liberal–National government
is committed to supporting and improving the industry, which was long neglected
by the previous Labor government. It should be noted that unacceptable
behaviour by a few individual taxidrivers can tarnish the reputation of the
whole taxi industry and undermine the good work the vast majority of
taxidrivers provide to the community. Taxidrivers have obligations under the
Western Australian Taxi Driver Code of Conduct and the Road Traffic Act 1974.
Furthermore, parts of the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations
2008 stipulate that as the holder of a T extension, the driver must be a person
of good character in order to operate as a taxidriver. Cases will be assessed
according to the criteria established in these codes, acts and regulations.
(2) Yes.
(3)–(4) A formal agreement is being developed.
question. The Minister for Transport advises —
(1) Despite
opposition and criticism by the member to many aspects of the state government's
reform plans for the WA taxi industry, the Liberal–National government
is committed to supporting and improving the industry, which was long neglected
by the previous Labor government. It should be noted that unacceptable
behaviour by a few individual taxidrivers can tarnish the reputation of the
whole taxi industry and undermine the good work the vast majority of
taxidrivers provide to the community. Taxidrivers have obligations under the
Western Australian Taxi Driver Code of Conduct and the Road Traffic Act 1974.
Furthermore, parts of the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations
2008 stipulate that as the holder of a T extension, the driver must be a person
of good character in order to operate as a taxidriver. Cases will be assessed
according to the criteria established in these codes, acts and regulations.
(2) Yes.
(3)–(4) A formal agreement is being developed.
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