Federal inquiry into class actions
Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton is encouraging anyone who has been involved in or considered a class action to make a submission to the Federal inquiry into litigation funding and class action regulations. Submission close Thursday, 11 June.
Request to suspend Uber MPTP trial
Today I asked the Minister to suspend the Uber trial of MPTP in Geelong until it can be opened to all operators under the same safety and training requirements.
Put signage on rideshare vehicles
Rod spoke with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell this morning about having proper signage on rideshare vehicles, following a disturbing increase in drivers posing as ride share with malicious intentions.
Why we took Uber to court (and not the Government or regulator)
There has been some questioning of the rationale behind taking on Uber, as opposed to suing the Government or the Regulator who changed the law to accommodate Uber. It was one of the first questions my colleague Andre Baruch and I asked when we first sought legal advice on the appropriate course of action back in 2015, when it became clear that Uber was being allowed to operate outside of the law.
UPDATE: Uber Class Action by Maurice Blackburn
An update on the Uber Class Action by Maurice Blackburn.
MEMBERS – Uber kicked out of London
My members statement on Transport for London’s decision against renewing Uber’s license to operate was cut short. Read the full statement here.
Tighten up on CPV safety says Barton
We need to tighten up safety across all commercial passenger vehicles following recent reports of rape and sexual assault by men posing as Uber drivers.
“We’ve created an unsafe culture that encourages young people especially to get into unmarked vehicles for a cheap ride home.”
Safety must be a priority: Barton says stop touting now
Touting and unaccredited drivers in the commercial passenger vehicle industry are ticking time bombs that must be stopped says Transport Matters Party leader Rod Barton.
MEMBERS – Class Action against Uber
Mr BARTON (Eastern Metropolitan) (09:50): Around three years ago I sat down at a dinner table with a couple of my mates, Mr Andre Baruch and Nadav Prawer. Nadav is a lawyer, and we were discussing the illegal entry into Victoria of Uber. That evening set the wheels in motion that brought us to 3 May, when the law firm Maurice Blackburn filed in the Supreme Court a class action against Uber. We started this originally just for our original members, but this has now grown to Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. This is going to be the largest class action this country has ever seen. I am very happy to be able to say that, and I am very proud of all of those people who have joined together to tell Uber that they are not making the rules. I am very happy about that.
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.