Today, Rod asked the government what is being done to ensure UberEats and other food delivery companies’ are fulfilling their due diligence to protect riders and ensure rider competency.

Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (11:24): My question is for the Minister for Public Transport, represented in this place by Minister Pulford. Last month three delivery riders for companies were killed in Australia, including in Melbourne. Sadly, another innocent delivery rider lost their life in Canberra only yesterday. These incidents are becoming all too frequent. These gig economy delivery companies have a duty of care to ensure their riders are competent as well as equipped with the appropriate equipment, such as quality helmets and safety jackets, and that their scooters are in a roadworthy state. These are workplace deaths.

I ask the minister: what is the government doing to ensure that gig economy food delivery companies are undertaking their responsibilities to maintain proper WorkSafe practices?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business) (11:25): I thank Mr Barton for his question directed to Minister Carroll, and I take this opportunity to express my deep condolences to those four families that have been so impacted by the loss of their loved one. This is a really, really important question at the intersection between workplace safety and road safety, and I really thank Mr Barton for taking the opportunity to highlight that, and the nexus between the two, in the house. I am sure Minister Carroll will very much look forward to taking the opportunity to provide you with a written response, and I will make that request.

Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (11:26): Thank you, Minister. I understand these rideshare companies do not require their riders to undergo any further training apart from their actual licences or prove they have the capacity to safely ride and transport food. As we know, VicRoads plays a part in ensuring riders and vehicles are safe to be on Victorian roads; therefore my supplementary question is: what VicRoads programs ensure that these delivery riders are capable and safe to be on Victorian roads, and if there is not a program, why not?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business) (11:26): I thank Mr Barton for his supplementary question and his interest in making sure that people are safe on our roads when they are at work, and I note the theme of the day around insecure work and the particular health and safety risks of people who are in insecure work. I will seek a written response from Minister Carroll.

Delivery Rider Safety

Rod asked the government what is being done to ensure UberEats and other food delivery companies’ are fulfilling their due diligence to protect riders and en…