UPDATE – VH plates back on the market
VH plates are again available for all vehicles that are registered to provide booked services only with Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria.
Tax reviews for taxi fairness fund recipients
The ATO has agreed to review individual cases relating to fairness fund payments and I am urging those affected to approach the ATO for assistance. I asked the Treasurer this week why no tax advice had been offered to those who received payments and now face tax debt.
Tell your MP to stop touting
I am encouraging members of the taxi industry and the public to urge Labor Government Ministers and legislative council members to vote in favour of my private members bill to put a stop to the dangerous practice of touting in Victoria.
Fairness matters for taxi industry says Barton
The commercial passenger vehicle industry is in a mess and it’s time the Government did “the right thing” to make it safe and viable again and this week I took the opportunity of the debate on an fishing licence compensation bill and emergency service superannuation legislation to remind the Government that it’s never too late to do the right thing, and point out the damage it has done to the taxi and hire car industry and the importance of fairness across industries.
ADJOURNMENT – VH series plates
Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (19:48): The matter I raise tonight is for the Minister for Roads, Minister Pulford. The absence of VH series numberplates from VicRoads’ menu is a familiar song, and I think I sing it well. So tonight I will sing it again. In March I asked the minister why VicRoads had stopped releasing VH plates to hire car operators in Victoria. At that time hire car operators bringing on new vehicles were unable to get new VH plates. Minister, you assured me then that they would be reinstated; however, they are still not available. I have repeatedly received complaints that VicRoads will not release new VH plates and that operators upgrading their current vehicle and attempting to put the original VHA plate onto a new vehicle have been told their existing VH plates must be returned to VicRoads.
VH plates are a brand in the marketplace. They signify a professional level of service, and in an incredibly crowded commercial passenger vehicle marketplace they have become even more important. Traditionally they have been used to identify professional operators for exclusive access to the forecourts of our major hotels and access to VIP areas and many of Melbourne’s major events. They provide passengers with a premium level of service and are a source of pride among professional drivers. VH plates mean something and they have a value. So I ask the minister again: can you reinstate the VH plates?
Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating) (20:04): … Finally, Mr Barton raised a matter for my attention, a matter that I know Mr Barton has worked hard on in his time as a member of this house. This is around the VH plates. As Mr Barton indicated in his adjournment comments this evening, he first brought this to my attention in March. I undertook to go and see what could be done. This is something that has occurred as a consequence of some of the reforms around commercial passenger vehicles.
What I can indicate to the house and to Mr Barton today is that the VH plates will be made available again by October of this year to any registered commercial passenger vehicle at a cost of $350 a plate. That cost is just a straight cost recovery exercise, so that is minimising the impact for people who want to buy those plates but also recognising that there are not enormous numbers. Mr Barton made some observations when he spoke about the brand identity that is VH plates, and I know this is something very important to him. VHD to VHZ will be made available.
Just for completeness in responding to Mr Barton, I indicate to the house that the government will be removing access to the special purpose lanes for VH-plated cars, so that everyone is nice and clear about the rules and how that all works. I take the opportunity to congratulate Mr Barton on his very effective and determined advocacy on this particular question.
Submissions close on CPV reform inquiry
Submissions to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee closed last week with over 150 submissions received, largely from small business owners who have faced extreme financial and personal hardship following the reforms in August 2017.
Touting offences back on the table
Penalties for touting are back on table following a huge increase in complaints about drivers approaching people at Melbourne Airport, major events and on Melbourne’s city streets. Industry stakeholders will be consulted on options for managing touting, including reintroducing touting offences after Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton campaigned the government to fix the problem.
Heartbroken industry encouraged to speak out
Heartbreaking tales of financial and personal ruin have been flooding into the office of Eastern Metropolitan MP Rod Barton after he called on the taxi and hire car industry to tell their stories to the Parliamentary Inquiry on the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Reforms.
Unfinished business in play for taxi and hire car industry
Dealing with unfinished business of the taxi and hire car industry has been the top priority for Transport Matters party leader Rod Barton during the first quarter of his term in Victoria’s Legislative Council.
Featured Barton secures Commercial Passenger Vehicle reform review
Eastern Metro MP and Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton has called for an immediate review of the governments commercial passenger vehicle reforms.