TOLD has presented its case and the Ernst & Young document to the State Government on the 12th of April. The government responded in June, and is still of the view, that the current proposed buyback and reforms are in place and will NOT be changed.
The following is a direct quote from the Minister’s Chief of Staff:
“The buy-back scheme being proposed by the State Government seeks to apply the principle of equity that recognises the return that a person has been able to realise from the purchase of a taxi plate during the time that they have held the plate. A buyback price based on a single market price for all, as proposed by TOLD, is not deemed equitable. Drafting of the proposed Transport (Road Passenger Services) Bill 2018 is on track and is anticipated to be introduced to Parliament in mid to late 2018. The proposed legislation will allow for commencement of the most generous scheme for taxi plate owners in the country.”
TOLD has strongly opposed to the proposed buyback scheme; we drew Minister’s attention to the inequities within the buyback, and how the variable amounts (of the proposed buyback) are incorrect. Further, we also mentioned the ever changing proposed policies which have a direct impact and influence on the buyback itself. The introduction of a % Based Levy, and the “lifting” of the cap of taxi plates, are two clear examples of policies developed and introduced without industry consultation.
Back in November of last year, when the Minister announced the buyback and on-demand transport reforms, the Minister stated explicitly, that there would be a cap on Taxi Plates for four (4) years, which would allow the industry to adapt to the new environment. On the 17th of March this year, however, there was a dramatic turn around, and I quote the Minister:
“The McGowan Government continues to consult widely to make sure that the proposed reforms will create a sustainable and innovative WA on-demand transport industry for operators and customers.”
The Government’s continual changeability and amendments to the proposed legislation, appear to come from a selective consultation with people who have no understanding of the industry. It is staggering that the Government has no intention nor willingness to have a direct dialogued with those who will be the most impacted by the changes.
TOLD has not stopped in its advocacy and lobbying in regards to obtaining a “fair and equitable” result for the Government’s proposed buyback. We have had the opportunity to present our case, including the Ernst & Young document, to ALL of the opposition and crossbenchers within WA Parliament. These people and their advisers are currently going over our case and we are scheduling follow up meetings to consolidate our position.
If you recall, the Premier himself, on the 17th of February 2018, defended the package as “fair” but said it was up to the taxi industry to help convince the opposition and crossbenchers of its merits.
He publicly stated and I quote:
“If the taxi industry wants a decent deal, they need to go and lobby the Liberal Party and the National Party and the cross-bench in the Upper House,”
We are doing both what the Premier has asked of us, and exercising our right to challenge what we feel is NOT fair. In addition, TOLD put together a petition, which was presented to the Upper House by The Honourable Colin Tincknell, petition relating to the proposed buy-back and severe lack of consultation with the industry.
The Directors of TOLD would like to emphasise that the primary issue at hand, is still very much active and dialogue with opposition and crossbenchers is continuing.
At this point in time, NO one actually knows what the intended Legislation or the context of it is. Our numerous requests to clarify the issue have not been answered.
We CANNOT lobby (as the Premier asks) for something that was never presented to us and as is has no merit. Therefore, we will endeavour to continue our fight for a fair go.
Athan Tsirigotis , TOLD spokesperson
What happened to the LUCKY COUNTRY for hard working immigrants?
Three hundred million ($300 million) dollar industry to be decided upon the opinion of an office worker from Malaga (Hay Henry) and Tony Buti, both who no understanding of the Taxi industry.
Deregulation will destroy the Taxi Industry and the lives of everyone involved.
What is the Government’s objective? What’s going to happen if the deregulation doesn’t work? Would they decide to re-regulate the industry and sell it to a multinational corporation? At the moment we see a $120 million dollar offer for a business worth more than $300 million.
They are trying to kill off our industry after years of hard work. They would not last a week doing the hours we do trying to earn a living. Our social fabric has been destroyed since Uber came. Costs of running a Taxi keep rising with NO!!! revenue (fare) increase in years. All we do is work to try and stay ahead of our financial commitments.
The Government’s plan is to wear us down so we accept their pathetic offer, which we overwhelmingly rejected. They are trying the old tactic of “divide and conquer” we must not let this happen or we will end up defeated. WE MUST ALL BE IN THIS TOGETHER. The time has come to stop being “MR NICE GUY” and now start industry action and disrupt PERTH on a regular basis and hit the Government where is hurts. We have to embarrass them. We must stop being a little itch on their skin. We have to make them to listen. IT’S TIME TO BE A SWORD IN THEIR SIDE TO HURT THEM.
On a final note. Remember politicians are not in Parliament for the people. They are there for themselves, to satisfy their power greed and egos. That is why we need to stay together and collectively we can achieve our objectives.
Peter Rosengrave, TOLD director
From the other side of Australia
Below, is an extract (selected paragraphs) of recently posted article by Jeff Kennett (‘Beyond Blue’ CEO) about the Victorian taxi industry and their struggle after deregulation. I have selected only part of the article but for those interested, the full article is available from the ‘Herald Sun’ (published on July 11th, 2018).
“I have written in this column over the past couple of months about the total disregard Victoria Labour Government in particular the Transport Minister has had for the welfare of those they have crucified in brutalising the Victorian taxi industry. Today, some months after the licence system that operated here in Victoria for decades has been cancelled, individuals and families have been left with debts they cannot service. Pensioners have lost the income from leasing out the licence plates they owned. Some individuals are suicidal from the loss of income and the debt mountains they cannot climb. Many are too senior in years to be able to work for an income, as many having been financially independent all their lives and expecting to be so in their later years they now fall back on to government pension…………..The government, in the interest of public safety and consistency of the application of the regulation that cover using vehicles to transport people, had to regulate the new ride-sharing industry. In doing so they need not have abolished taxi licences……Now millions of dollars of yours and my money has been waisted by the government paying certain sums of money, which is absolutely inadequate for most who bought licences in the past 20 years………….Lives have been wrecked. At the time of the changes, passion among the industry ran high as they saw their livelihood and financial security destroyed…………..All I can say to the minister is understand you have overseen the destruction of licence plates owners. You claim you have been threatened, I’m sorry you have been so treated, but your government has actually destroyed many lives, many families. And none of it was necessary.”
Jeff Kennett, Victorian Premier 1992-1999
Yes, we have to make the Government to listen to small business.
The entire WA taxi industry is on the verge of collapse:
• The $300 million industry which used to fill government’s coffers with $20 million each year, have to be deregulated with a stroke of a pen.
• Multinational companies (transferring their income overseas) were able to ‘convince’ politicians that 50 year old system is now worthless.
• Small business people who trusted the Western Australian law and its custodians (WA politicians) have been cheated of their rightful income.
• The safety of passengers has been compromised; once again the multinationals ‘convinced’ politicians that internal and external cameras in vehicles transporting passengers are not important–– as much as the evidence in court is not important.
This highly regulated industry was the object of total mismanagement by several Governments, who are now looking for an ‘easy way out’.
What happen to our industry is not just plate owners related anymore!
Ordinary drivers will no longer be able buy a house (yep, try to get a loan being an Uber driver), send children better schools or simply provide for their families AND the deregulation of the number of taxi plates is yet to happen!!!
John Golawski, Micro Business Party, President
