Taxis Tasmania in Hobart, Tasmania | Travel and transport

Taxis Tasmania

Locality: Hobart, Tasmania

Phone: +61 418 123 699

Address: 6 Kulgoa Place 7052 Hobart, TAS, Australia

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25.01.2022 Just a status report on those missing emails. David Hope burnt some midnight oil and along with Phil at DIER ascertained that some emails had not been sent. Thank you David.I and posiibly others now have the newsletter email with the forum dates for yesterday. There were seven people at last nights forum so that makes a grand total of 15 people for the forums in Hobart. Rather a sad reflection of involvement and communications.

24.01.2022 Just an early status report. Andrew Wilkie now has a copy of the review as does the ABC. Have written to Prof Nicholls at ANU (college of business and economics) as well as the Australian Taxi Drivers Association. Trying to make contact with a known source at the Mercury to get local coverage.

23.01.2022 Spent a couple of hours with KPMG the other week on the subject of taxi licence issues in Tas and Peter Cooper has told me that there are going to be meetings today for other interested parties. Did not hear anything from KPMG or DIER. Can anyone let me know the deails if they know them. Regards John

18.01.2022 In my recent discussions with KPMG at the forum last week I questioned the santitised approach to consultation with taxi drivers and their need to attend public forums. Especially given the poor attendance at the forum (15 people) and the economic impact on drivers.It was also brought up at our January meeting as regards our own review and survey. We should be glad that KPMG are doing this review and not the government. David from KPMG has indicated that he and his associate ...Charles may head down to the bullring at Hobart Airport to interview drivers. This is the first time I know of anyone of authority that could influence legislation has "gone down the ranks" to meet us on a group level. Please give them every courtesy and help and spread the word. They will possibly be down there on a Thursday or Friday afternoon from 2.30pm onwards. Will keep you posted. If you see them swing around for an interview. Kind regards John C See more

17.01.2022 We have opened dialogue with the Footscray Community Legal Centre. Their report found that taxis drivers are"a new and disturbing category of the working poor in Australia", with few legal rights and almost no bargaining power. They "are the most significantly disadvantaged workers in the comunity". We hope that if we can link up with them and the Australian Taxi Drivers Association we can push for better conditions and have the expectation of a living wage. This is the only... way we can retain good drivers in the industry and attract quality entrants to replace those retiring. This will eventually equate to better customer service. If only governments had half a brain and a spine to take on the National Competition Council.Then perhaps we may see some wisdom and forethought enter the political arena and the Australian idiom of a fair go be enshined in legislation. Regards JC See more

15.01.2022 Good evening, this is an all time record and to the credit of DIER, namely David Hope. Our letter was sent at 4.12pm and we got a response to a major portion of the letter at 7.26 pm. He is working overtime. He has agreed and disagreed to portions of the letter. There is a lot of work to be done yet and a united industry voice is essential. One that is representitive and balanced, if this is possible. While DIER is tired of the cheap shots taken re fund raising from licence s...ales he has put forward arguements that have substance. He rightly points out areas of past reviews where DIER went against the recommendations of the Reference Group. The main one was compulsory network affliation. This would have suited the big three players on the panel. There were definitely good outcomes from past reviews and in essence he has asked not just to dwell on the negatives. I know this cuts across the grain of those suffering reduced incomes but we should remain balanced in our views if we expect the same of DIER and the pollies. I have a lot of homework to do before I get back to you for you input. Good night and have a good weekend JC I have a lot of homework to do will get back to you

14.01.2022 This is the first time any minister or department has considered driver and operator viability. It is also the first time they are willing to ascertain the link between licence issue and viability. At this stage they are just words. When it is time for consultation PLEASE have your say as this is what we have been working towards. The minister and DIER have asked yours truly to have some input and I am willing to do this if members agree. This is of course gratus and I realise that at this stage I am only a licenced driver that is not fully involved in the industry. Would appreciate feedback on this. Kind regards to all JC

14.01.2022 Good afternoon ladies and gentleman. Have received a letter from DIER outlining a Review of Taxi Licence Arrangements. Attached are the Draft Terms of Reference to which an appointed reviewer must adhere. In it to their credit they have included taxi driver and operator viability (which they deleted from legislation). The reviewer is to investigate the "causal link between taxi driver income and taxi licence numbers, together with the influence of external factors on incomes ...since 2007.....other than WATs". In other words they do not want WATs put under the microscope to see what effect they have had on normal taxi income. DIER are gutless or afraid! If this is to be a warts and all review they cannot exclude WATs. I know they affected my income. Can you all do the rounds and see what others think. I feel personally they have affected standard taxi income and MUST be included in the causal link in reducing taxi income. Happy hunting, let me know the results. See more

12.01.2022 Review of Taxi Licence Arrangements I have written to David Hope of DIER regarding the review. As a change of tactics given past endeavours we believe there is strength in individual numbers. Our past petition of nearly 200 drivers counted as one objection while one individual for the licences carried the same weight ie one pro. We will keep everyone informed of what is going on and when to act. If everyone writes when required we will have strength of numbers.... We have also requested a moritorium on the issue of new licences while the review process is underway as a measure of good faith. It was pointed out that such a moritorium would not disadvantage the industry or taxi patrons. You can only try. I will be taking a back seat now while DIERs review is completed as I can do no more. Kind regards JC See more

12.01.2022 I can now confirm that KPMG will be at The Hobart Airport doing interviews in the bullring Thursday afternoon. David Richardson and a colleague will be heading down around 2.00pm. Now is your chance to have a say. Please spread the word both at the airport and city ranks. Kund regards John C

11.01.2022 Just written to DIER re Industry Representitive body and National Competition Council. Getting it out there to members now.

09.01.2022 Just a couple of business items. The Australian Taxi Drivers Association (based in Sydney) has invited Taxis Tasmania to become a member of affiliate of their group. Given that we are seeking essentially the same thing but htere is some disparity in bailee terms and conditions between the two jurisdictions I would recommend that we affiliate rather than become members. Need feedback on this from members so that appropriate action can be taken. It is now time to have a democr...atic election of office bearers in order that the groups views can be seen not to be self appointed. It is proposed to have a flat tier of responsibility. By that I mean a spokesperson/secretary for a term of two years and members. I doubt if there are too many people with the time to butt heads with bureaucracy as drivers are flat out trying to make a living. I cannot nominate myself but indicate that I am prepared to take on that role but need to be nominated and seconded. Anyone with objections please do so now. Could I please have your views on affiliation with ATDA and election/nomination. Kind regards JC See more

09.01.2022 Thanks Scoota. Contacted Simon Buddle at DIER and there are meetings today at the Elizabeth St Pier function centre at 2.00 and 6.30. Will try to get to 2.00 meeting as I am painting out the bathroom today. Communications need to be improved if they want drivers to have a say in what will directly affect them. Say hello the the boys and girls for me. Stll trying but its hard deal with people that have ignored the obvious for so long. Regards JC

07.01.2022 It appears that I may have missed out on a DIER Taxi News last week re the KPMG forums. Either that or I am losing my marbels. Did anyone get a copy of that News on the forums via email? Please let me know yes or no. Many thanks JC

07.01.2022 It would be great if all drivers and operators could read the article in the Age today. Terry McConville put me onto it. Google "The Age taxi drivers struggling". I will use this when talking to DIER as I believe that we have a higher ratio of taxis to population in Hobart than Melbourne but have still to clarify all aspects of the report. I completed a small paper on 'Taxi Driver Bailee Driver or Employee" back in June for a driver. If anyone wants a copy let me know and I will send you a copy via facebook. Regards JC and thank you Clive for your kind words.

07.01.2022 Forgot to add they said"I regret I am unable to assist you further". Balls in the local court as far as I am concerned.

07.01.2022 Have spoken to Michael Jools of the Australian Taxi Drivers Association today. They are Sydney based with thousands of members having the same problems as us. They have a copy of our survey and in discussions they are of the same opinion as us;there must be a united voice ,and there must be a push for bailee taxi drivers to be deemed to be employees so that we can get the same benefits as other Australians. This is about equality not slavery. Google their site. Hand in hand with this is fact that the government must acknowledge that it is the major determinator or taxi driver income if it controls fares and licence issues. Will keep you posted JC

06.01.2022 Will be contacting members individually regarding Mr Tom Allan (from Nick McKims office) comments on our Facebook site in order to draft a suitable reply to his incorrect statements and appropriate action to be taken.

05.01.2022 REVIEW OF TAXI LICENCE ARRANGEMENTS DIER have indicated that they intend to revise the section regarding the impact of external factors on incomes ( to remove the potential for misinterpretation that it was planned to exclude WATs from this analysis). They must be thanked for this and the improved dialogue we have had regarding the Terms of Reference. As this was the only point causing concern and it is to be revised we have agreed to the revised Draft Terms of Reference.... Have a good day JC

01.01.2022 Nick McKim Minister for Sustainable Transport Wednesday 31st Oct 2012 ________________________________________ ... Taxi Licence Laws to be reviewed The State Government has agreed on the final terms of reference for a review of the licence release arrangements applying to Tasmania's taxi industry. This follows extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including the consideration of submissions from the industry, on a draft terms of reference. This process resulted in the draft terms of reference being significantly revised. The Minister for Sustainable Transport, Nick McKim MP, said today that the review would focus on the suitability of the legislation that currently determines how, when and the number of new taxi licences offered for sale by the Transport Commission. "The Review will be 'arms-length' from Government and undertaken by an independent consultant, who will consult widely before recommending possible changes to the current arrangements," Mr McKim said. "I have bought this review forward based on concerns from the industry about the licence release mechanism. Front and centre of the review will be how the current system impacts taxi driver and operator viability. "We will now begin the process of engaging a consultant and I expect this to be completed by early November. The Review itself, which will include a consultation phase, will get under way shortly after then. "The taxi industry will be notified once the consultant has been selected and I would encourage anyone with an interest in the taxi industry, and particularly those who made submissions on the draft terms of reference, to make use of opportunities to share their views with the consultant as the Review progresses."

01.01.2022 National Competition Council We have received a response from the NCC today. The council is no longer interested in industry income, livlihoods, service to the public, competition or drivers health. Since 2010 the councils role has been "limited to issues of third party access to infrastructure...under the 2010 Act". This being the case the Tasmanian government should have reviewed licences issue in relation to the change in the Federal Act.... I believe now is the time to have our local legislation changed to stop compulsory sale offers under the Act. There are licences for sale on a regular basis. Know of two perpetual licences that went for $120K and $130 in the last two weeks. Also know that several others are currently for sale. Please give me feedback on what you think and if we should proceed to have legislation amended prior to the government review being completed..whenever that will be. Regards JC