TOLD meeting was held at the ‘Rise’ community centre in Maylands on November 27th 2018. Once again, significant attendance has proven that there is a total dissatisfaction and complete contrasting view between the Government’sproposed buy-back scheme and expectations of the plate owners.
The promise made by the current Transport Minister (when she was in opposition) to the taxi industry is not reflected, at all, in the current offer.
The meeting attendees were asked “Who is happy with theoffer?” The answer was NOBODY.
For this very reason TOLD decided to continue the fight for justice, and we are certainly hoping to have your support in the future. This meeting has run well over two hours, and we encourage you to attend future meetings and not to miss out on crucial information which are affecting your lifetime investment.
ANNUAL MEETING SUMMARY
1. Satinder Samra (Director) have presented TOLD financial report. He reminded everyone that the new website www.told.net.au was paid for and it is the official source of information for members. This website is also connected with taxi organisations in other states.
2. Athan Tsirigotis has resigned from his position as a spokesperson of TOLD group due to personal circumstances.
During the meeting he reported on his lobbying activities over the last few months which confirmed our theory that no politician can be trusted i.e. all of them expressed sympathy to our case but in the final stages only One Nation Party has supported the taxi industry.
3. Cam Tinley, Vice President of Micro Business Party (MBP)) has announced the official approval of a new name for the party which will continue to fight for our case at the next state election. The new name, SMALLBUSINESS PARTY, is fully approved by the State Electoral Commission. It is critical to mention at this point that the Transport Matters Party in Victoria (our sister-party, which started by the taxi owners) has won a seat in the Victorian state election 3 weeks ago. This sends a clear message to both major parties that the fight for a proper compensation is not over!!!
Please go to: www.smallbusinessparty.net and see the new logo of SBP
Also enter: http//facebook.com/smallbusinesspartyau and give them some ‘likes ‘please.
4. Invitations to Annual TOLD meeting were extended to the DOT and the Minister’s office asking to send representation and provide answers to several questions in this very uncertain times. Both invitations have been rejected. TOLD group representatives (20 members),however, paid a visit to the Department of Transport(couple of days later) requesting a meeting. Consequently, the meeting has been organised and some of the pressing issues discussed. Please see outcomes of that meeting below.
5. TOLD directors have arranged a presentation by Elizabeth O’Shea, a senior associate from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. This firm decided to launch a ‘class action’ against Uber. This action has now spread all over Australia and if won will give the owners and drivers additional compensation (at no extra cost). Elizabeth has explain the meaning of ‘class action’, its consequences/possible outcomes, time frames etc. She also answered several questions from the floor. The class action is an Australia wide action and we encourage everybody to join. This could be done through the internet: www.mauriceblackburn.com.au go to Uber class action and follow the prompts.
WE ENCURADGE EVERY OWNER AND EVERY DRIVER TO SIGN UP FOR THIS CLASS ACTION
6. Note: Peter Rosengrave is the new spokesman for Taxi Operators Legal Defence group.
7. Below, we have attached a brief report and the question which have been forwarded to the Department of Transport. Answers are expected mid-January and will be published in the January TOLD Newsletter. Please note that the SMS alert about this forthcoming newsletter will NOT be posted, so please check it out yourself.
TOLD and DOT representatives meeting report
On December 14th 2018 our representatives had a chance to present the Department of Transport Taxi Unit Management with concerns about the future of the taxi industry which at present these ‘5D’ words can express:Dissatisfaction, Disbelief, Disillusion, Disarray, and Distrust.
We have explained how much the debilitating fear for the future depresses many owners and drivers, and how much mistrust and hate towards authorities there is.
The DOT representatives were very open-minded and concerned so we are hoping for this dialog to continue. The most rewarding outcome of this meeting was apromise, given to us during the meeting, to provide us with answers to the taxi industry most pressing questions.
The directors of TOLD are bombarded with questions on a daily basis, questions that no one by the proper authorities should provide answers to. Although we do understand that there are hundreds of questions the drivers want ask, however to simplify the process we’ve selected 20 of the most important questions and presented them to the Department of Transport, who promised us to provide answers.
Finally, best wishes to ALL: Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
TOLD Directors
Important websites; smallbusinessparty.net mauriceblakburn.com.au told.net.au
DOT questions
1. Why do the owners have to wait until mid. 2019 for the buy-back payment, when the funds have already been allocated in this year’s budget?
2. What was the process for overwriting the Minister’s promise of 4 years moratorium on the number of taxi plates? A process which was meant to buffer financial loss to the owner and allow the entire industry to adjust to the new environment?
3. Is the Government aware, that even without additional plates the taxi drivers earnings are below a minimum wages? If yes, why does the DOT insist on releasing more taxi plates?
4. Was the ever growing Perth traffic congestion taken into account while the decision for unlimited number of Taxis and on demand vehicles was made?
5. Does the DOT have enough authority/resources to police over 16 thousand currently registered on-demand vehicles with potentially thousands more to be registered in the nearest future?
6. Please explain, how the DOT will be able to check/inspect eg. A vehicle operating with 4 bald tyres?
7. Will the on-demand vehicles required to have compulsory insurance?
8. Does, every on-demand vehicle have to be TDS affiliated? If yes, what will be the requirement (and cost) for independent operators to register independent TDS?
9. What will happen if a company like Uber decides NOT to register their dispatch services officially and will continue to operate against the law?
10. What will be the action taken by the DOT against multinational (overseas registered) platforms to stop them operating outside of the WA’s current laws?
11. Does the DOT believe that ‘official dispatch registration/authorisation’ for a company like Uber with approximately 14000 vehicles on the road can be revoked?
12. If a person who paid for ‘annual authorisation’ is unable to provide vehicle immediately (e.g. due to accident or temporary luck of funds) will the DOT confiscate the plates?
13. With the Ministerial assurance that drivers are able to operate on a few different platforms, which one of those platforms will need to collect the 10% levy?
14. What will be the mechanism to collect 10% levy from independent operators providing service to their mobile phone/private customers?
15. Will the 10% levy be deducted from our current income or will the taxi meter will be raised by this amount?
16. Does the DOT have a plan ‘B’ of collecting the buy-back money if the current proposal will become a failure? If yes what is the plan? If not, why not?
17. Why will the owners of some non-transferable taxi plates will receive up to $40,000 from the buyback scheme if those plates were sold by the Govt. (very cheaply) with the purpose of ZERO financial gain?
18. For how much longer will you continue to publicise this fake message of “WA buy-back scheme being the most generous offer in the country” with your full awareness that the Northern Territory Government has bought the taxi plates from owners for $220 000 per plates by recognising the plates official value of $220 000?
19. Why this buy-back is called ‘voluntary’ if drivers who decide not to accept the Government offer will have their right to operate their taxi terminated?
20. With the cost of registration, DOT Admin fee and Inspection fee (up 36% this year) rising every year and no fare increase in 4 years, will the DOT consider raising the official taxi fare?
