Media release – CPVV partners with Uber

“In this time, it is the regulator’s responsibility to see the financial devastation experienced in the taxi and hire car industry and respond with compassion, fairness and transparency. Gifting the MPTP to Uber is nothing short of kicking the industry while it’s already on its knees.”

Media release – Held to Account

Held to Account: Parliament holds Taxi Licences are Property!

Rod Barton’s motion to repair the damage caused by the 2017 Commercial Passenger Vehicle reforms, acknowledging the arbitrary payments to licence holders and need for sufficient compensation, has passed in legislative council 19 to 18.

Mr Barton, Transport Matters MP, moved the motion, calling on the government to continue the conversation to fairly compensate former perpetual Taxi and Hire Car licence owners for the revocation of their licences in 2017.

‘Deregulation has caused a glut of commercial passenger vehicles on our roads threatening the viability of the industry and pushing driver exploitation to new heights.’ Mr Barton stated.

Cross bencher, Mr Hayes rose in support of the motion stating Uber should have been prosecuted in 2014 as they were doing the same things as taxis without authority – instead ‘the government let them go…rendering taxi licences worthless’.

This motion recognised that hundreds of perpetual taxi and car hire licences owners were paid a pittance for the revocation of their licences back in 2017. Further, that the arbitrary transition assistance payments they were given were grossly inadequate and unfair.

‘I applaud the Cross Bench and the Opposition for their support. I am pleased that my fellow members agree that as elected representatives we have a social and economic responsibility to adopt a plan to properly compensate and restructure the industry in the interest of fairness and restoring this industry.’

Mr Barton looks forward to bringing a proposal to the Government early next year, which is aimed to repair the past and create a pathway to move forward.

The Liberal Democrats members David Limbrick and Tim Quilty along with the Labor Party rejected the motion.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan and the Leader of the Transport Matters Party Rod Barton MP: 

‘Thanks to the Cross Bench and the Opposition for their support and commitment to the Taxi and Hire Car Industry. We now have a chance to heal the damage caused and restore this industry back to its former glory’

ENDS

Media contact: Norm Dunn, Chief of Staff Rod Barton MP, 0438 175 113 Norm.dunn@parliament.vic.gov.au

Media Release – QANTAS lost its way!

I call on the Victorian Minister for Industrial Relations call upon the airline to halt the outsourcing of Victorian jobs and creating an environment of insecure work.

Media Release – Project Update: Airport Rail Link Funding Announced – But who will pick up the shortfall?

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that public ownership would reduce the need for the government to step in and subsidise international corporate giants managing public services in a financial downturn

Media Release – New Tax on Electric Vehicles Will Stall Emission Reductions in Transport Sector

The Government should be encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles, not introducing a tax that does the complete opposite.

Media Release – Repair the Past

‘The Commercial Passenger Vehicle reforms have torn through marriages, families and friendships in a way that only profound financial stress, inequality and uncertainty can. The government must step in and release this pressure.’  

Media Release – Free Tram Expansion …. Denied!

The minority report recognises the struggle of our most vulnerable seniors and students; identifies the need to create an accessible and high-capacity tram network; and the benefits the Free Tram Zone creates for tourism, students, seniors, local residents, and our CBD.

The Government might think it’s over…….it’s not!

The implementation of the transition assistance payments and fairness fund failed to address the economic suffering of those in the industry and had inequitable consequences.

Suburban Rail Loop

The Suburban Rail Loop project is an important public transport infrastructure project that will better connect Victoria’s hospitals, universities, and retail industries

Taxi & Hire Car Industry

The taxi and hire car industry had been knocked down before this pandemic even started. Rod Barton is concerned that COVID-19 will be the nail in the coffin for many of them struggling to survive.

The government’s lack of support for non-employing sole traders has let many fall through the cracks, crippling the taxi and hire car industry.

The future of the industry and livelihoods of these workers depend on a comprehensive and effective recovery plan to move forward. There is so much at stake.

Already it is a struggle for many to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table for their families. Rod Barton believes it is absolutely critical that there is a strategy to relaunch the taxi and hire car industry.
Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria is responsible for outlining the rules and parameters that dictate this industry. This responsibility extends to ensuring the industries survival and creating an action plan to move forward.

This is why Rod Barton asked the Minister for Transport, “what is the CPVV’s plan to relaunch the taxi and hire car industry as we come out of restrictions?”

If the regulator fulfils its role in the economic recovery of this industry, Rod Barton is optimistic that we can give hope to those in this industry who have been doing it tough.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan and the Leader of the Transport Matters Party Rod Barton MP:
‘I believe that the regulator has a statutory responsibility to ensure that the taxi and hire car industry has an economic recovery plan as we come out of this pandemic.’

Premier – Sole Traders

Despite the government rolling out an additional round of support, including the welcomed Business Support Fund specifically for non-employing sole traders, a large chunk of non-employing sole traders will miss out. 

Transport Options to Improve Rural Public Transport Networks

It is time that we address the transport disadvantage that exists in regional Victoria. Creating adaptable, cost-effective and reliable transport solutions is vital if we are to maintain regional Victoria as a great place to live and visit. The school bus could be this solution.

I cannot support the Six-month extension

Mr Rod Barton MP the member for Eastern Metropolitan and the leader of the Transport Matters Party says that the Government did not consider the many options submitted by the non-government members, which range from month by month, three months and their own six-month plan.

No 12-month Extension, Premier

The Andrews Government announced it would propose legislation changes in the Victorian Parliament, which will extend by 12 months the public health directions protecting Victorians from coronavirus. If successful, this would continue the current state of emergency, which has been in place for almost…

Stand up for Sole traders, Premier!

There have been thousands of sole traders who have not turned a dollar since, March, yet whose overheads have not diminished and all the while trying to keep a roof over their head and food on the table for their families.