Dr. Woollard raises concerns about long wait times for disabled people needing wheelchair-accessible taxis due to low driver wages. The Minister states legislation is coming to address the issue, with taxi driver support.

AnsweredQoN 674Legislative Assembly
Asked
8 November 2005
Portfolio
Disability Services

QuestionView source ↗

People who are disabled and require wheelchairs often have to wait several hours for collection by a multipurpose taxi, because some of the multipurpose taxi drivers earn less than $6 an hour. In the Australian Capital Territory, the government has tried to rectify this situation by taking control of the licence plates. The government in Victoria tried to rectify this situation by reimbursing taxi drivers to the tune of $10 per collection for a person in a wheelchair. Will the minister be following the Victorian line in terms of reimbursement and, if not, what options is he looking at to stop these delays occurring for disabled people who are often late for work? The situation is very difficult for them. Mr M. McGOWAN

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question. The government has a program to address this situation. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure will introduce legislation into this Parliament this week, as I understand it, which will address the points raised. As I understand, it has the overwhelming support of the relevant taxi drivers.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: I thank the member for the question. The government has a program to address this situation. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure will introduce legislation into this Parliament this week, as I understand it, which will address the points raised. As I understand, it has the overwhelming support of the relevant taxi drivers.
I thank the member for the question. The government has a program to address this situation. The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure will introduce legislation into this Parliament this week, as I understand it, which will address the points raised. As I understand, it has the overwhelming support of the relevant taxi drivers.

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