February

• In his maiden speech in the legislative council Rod described the devastating impact of CPV reforms on the taxi and hire car industry and said his election was a sign of hope for the industry who felt their voices weren’t heard.
  

  Rod Barton MP – Maiden Speech – 5 Feb 2019

  “The devastation that has been wrecked onto the industry, and the duty to correct it, is a weight I carry into this place.”

• Rod introduced amendments to a motion to begin the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Reforms 
• Rod spoke out against the West Gate Tunnel funding bill that extended Transurban’s tolling on CityLink to cover the project costs, handing them $22 billion for a $6.8 billion road.

March

• Rod first raised the problem of touting, chatting with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell about the growing problem at Melbourne Airport.
• Rod’s amendments to the West Gate Tunnel Bill make tolls fairer for families using cab chassis utes were defeated, despite support from the opposition and a number of crossbenchers.

May 

• Lawyers from Maurice Blackburn launched a Class Action against Uber, which was initiated by Rod and Transport Matters Party state director André Baruch.
• Public submissions started for the CPV Inquiry and Rod’s office worked with many in the industry to help them tell their story.
• Rod questioned the Government on its public transport plans during North East Link construction and started our campaign for wider community awareness of the effects of the project.

June

• Rod introduced an inquiry into pricing and other options to increase the use of public transport, including extending the Free Tram Zone to include hospitals, universities and major attractions, and make transport free across the network for students and seniors.
• Rod introduced another inquiry into the extent and causes of Homelessness in Victoria and was appointed as a participating member of the committee to investigate this.
  

  Spotlight firmly on hidden homelessness in Victoria

• Rod negotiated government amendments to the Engineers Registration legislation to extend the registrations to 3 year terms and work with other states and territories to create a national system.
• Rod raised $10,000 for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
• Public hearings for the CPV Inquiry began.

August

• After many letters and discussions the Minister for Roads confirmed that VH number plates would be made available to CPV operators. Plates can now be ordered through VicRoads.
• Rod travelled throughout regional Victoria for public hearings on the impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture as part of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee.
• Rod introduced his private members bill to stop touting in Victoria.

September

• Rod pushed the Government to tighten up on CPV safety following a series of assaults against women by men posing as rideshare drivers.
  

  Tighten up on CPV safety says Barton

• Rod appeared at the North East Link public hearings in support of eastern Metro communities that will be impacted by the project, asking the advisory group and the Minister to consider the needs of the community.

October

• After many letters and conversations the Australian Tax Office agrees to review the tax debts of former taxi and hire car licence holders who received payments through the CPV Fairness Fund.

November

• The Inquiry into the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 Reforms report was released with 13 recommendations to repair the past and move the CPV industry forward.
  

  REPORT – Inquiry into the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry Act 2017 Reforms

• Rod’s amendments to the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill reintroduced an offence for touting in Victoria with fines up to $10,000 for drivers.

Help set Rod’s agenda for 2020 by completing our summer survey here.