Two-strikes rule to slam brakes on dodgy taxi drivers
Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW.
The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions.
A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled.
"There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday.
Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis.
The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said.
Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities.
Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting".
The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour.
"This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said.
But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike.
"Either one can be the offender," he told AAP.
Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars.
He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown.
But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors.
"If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said.
"You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out."
Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown.
Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW.
The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions.
A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled.
"There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday.
Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis.
The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said.
Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities.
Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting".
The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour.
"This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said.
But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike.
"Either one can be the offender," he told AAP.
Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars.
He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown.
But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors.
"If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said.
"You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out."
Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown.
Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW.
The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions.
A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled.
"There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday.
Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis.
The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said.
Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities.
Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting".
The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour.
"This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said.
But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike.
"Either one can be the offender," he told AAP.
Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars.
He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown.
But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors.
"If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said.
"You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out."
Repeatedly refusing short taxi trips or requests to turn on the meter will be enough for cabbies to be kicked to the curb, but more inspectors may be needed to enforce the crackdown.
Dodgy taxi and rideshare drivers face losing their licence to operate under Victorian "two strikes and you're out" laws similar to NSW.
The proposed legislative shake-up is set to give industry regulator Safe Transport Victoria greater powers to suspend or cancel the accreditation of drivers who have two fare-related convictions.
A pattern of complaints could also spell trouble for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, Victorian Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams signalled.
"There might be complaints made about an individual driver that are very similar but fall below that conviction threshold, it still allows the regulator to do something about it," she told reporters on Friday.
Other changes in the overhaul include compulsory QR codes in taxis and rideshare to link passengers through to a complaints page, harsher penalties for bad behaviour and mandating audio recordings in taxis.
The latter measure will make it easier for taxi operators to investigate complaints, the government said.
Carers will also be able to access live in-vehicle vision if offered by taxi or rideshare companies after a high-profile case of a cabbie abusing and scamming passengers with disabilities.
Ms Williams described the behaviour as "utterly unacceptable and disgusting".
The Transport Workers Union said the two-strikes policy unfairly targeted drivers and failed to address poor passenger behaviour.
"This is thoughtless demonising of transport workers," its national secretary Michael Kaine said.
But Victorian Taxi Association director Peter Valentine hailed the reforms, declaring mandatory audio in cabs would better protect drivers and passengers alike.
"Either one can be the offender," he told AAP.
Mr Valentine wants the video and audio mandate extended to Uber and DiDi operators despite drivers also using them as private cars.
He estimates there are roughly 90,000 commercial passenger vehicle drivers in the state and suggested passengers won't suffer if 10 to 15 per cent are shown the door following the crackdown.
But he concedes the regulator will likely face an uphill battle enforcing the incoming rules due to a lack of inspectors.
"If you've got 90,000 drivers, do you think three people can control them? There's half your problem," Mr Valentine said.
"You stand out there and blow your trumpet but it's no good unless the music comes out."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
4 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Business group warns Vic government's WFH legislation will harm productivity
The peak lobby group for Victorian businesses has warned the Allan government's pledge to enshrine working from home arrangements for public servants and private sector employees will harm productivity. Premier Jacinta Allan announced the government would introduce legislation to give workers the right to work from home at least two days a week, in a move that will certainly face a High Court challenge.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Work from home a legal right in Australian-first reform
Employees will be legally allowed to demand to work from home two days a week if an Australian-first proposed law is passed. The Victorian government has promised to introduce legislation to make working from home a right in 2026, in contrast to other states that want public servants to spend more time in the office. The proposed law would apply to all public and private sector employees in Victoria who can reasonably do their job from home. Yet to be determined are the legislation's definition of remote work, who can do it and the types of businesses the law would apply to, but the government promised to consult before its introduction to parliament in 2026. It sets up a major contest with business groups in an election year, with Labor seeking a fourth consecutive term that polls indicate it's on track to win. The November 2026 election will be the first as premier for Jacinta Allan, who lags opposition leader Brad Battin as preferred state leader. Ms Allan said legislating the right to work from home was good for families and the economy. "Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit," she said. "If you can do your job from home, we'll make it your right." The coalition's push to end to working-from-home for public servants was partly blamed for its unsuccessful result at the May federal election, despite abandoning the policy before polling day. NSW Premier Chris Minns has described remote-work provisions as a thing of the past but stopped short of seeking an end to working from home, instead ordering public servants to work principally in offices. More than one third of Australian employees usually work from home but that number swells to 60 per cent of managers and people in professional services, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The bureau says 43 per cent who work from home do overtime, compared to one quarter of those who do not. Employees will be legally allowed to demand to work from home two days a week if an Australian-first proposed law is passed. The Victorian government has promised to introduce legislation to make working from home a right in 2026, in contrast to other states that want public servants to spend more time in the office. The proposed law would apply to all public and private sector employees in Victoria who can reasonably do their job from home. Yet to be determined are the legislation's definition of remote work, who can do it and the types of businesses the law would apply to, but the government promised to consult before its introduction to parliament in 2026. It sets up a major contest with business groups in an election year, with Labor seeking a fourth consecutive term that polls indicate it's on track to win. The November 2026 election will be the first as premier for Jacinta Allan, who lags opposition leader Brad Battin as preferred state leader. Ms Allan said legislating the right to work from home was good for families and the economy. "Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit," she said. "If you can do your job from home, we'll make it your right." The coalition's push to end to working-from-home for public servants was partly blamed for its unsuccessful result at the May federal election, despite abandoning the policy before polling day. NSW Premier Chris Minns has described remote-work provisions as a thing of the past but stopped short of seeking an end to working from home, instead ordering public servants to work principally in offices. More than one third of Australian employees usually work from home but that number swells to 60 per cent of managers and people in professional services, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The bureau says 43 per cent who work from home do overtime, compared to one quarter of those who do not. Employees will be legally allowed to demand to work from home two days a week if an Australian-first proposed law is passed. The Victorian government has promised to introduce legislation to make working from home a right in 2026, in contrast to other states that want public servants to spend more time in the office. The proposed law would apply to all public and private sector employees in Victoria who can reasonably do their job from home. Yet to be determined are the legislation's definition of remote work, who can do it and the types of businesses the law would apply to, but the government promised to consult before its introduction to parliament in 2026. It sets up a major contest with business groups in an election year, with Labor seeking a fourth consecutive term that polls indicate it's on track to win. The November 2026 election will be the first as premier for Jacinta Allan, who lags opposition leader Brad Battin as preferred state leader. Ms Allan said legislating the right to work from home was good for families and the economy. "Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit," she said. "If you can do your job from home, we'll make it your right." The coalition's push to end to working-from-home for public servants was partly blamed for its unsuccessful result at the May federal election, despite abandoning the policy before polling day. NSW Premier Chris Minns has described remote-work provisions as a thing of the past but stopped short of seeking an end to working from home, instead ordering public servants to work principally in offices. More than one third of Australian employees usually work from home but that number swells to 60 per cent of managers and people in professional services, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The bureau says 43 per cent who work from home do overtime, compared to one quarter of those who do not. Employees will be legally allowed to demand to work from home two days a week if an Australian-first proposed law is passed. The Victorian government has promised to introduce legislation to make working from home a right in 2026, in contrast to other states that want public servants to spend more time in the office. The proposed law would apply to all public and private sector employees in Victoria who can reasonably do their job from home. Yet to be determined are the legislation's definition of remote work, who can do it and the types of businesses the law would apply to, but the government promised to consult before its introduction to parliament in 2026. It sets up a major contest with business groups in an election year, with Labor seeking a fourth consecutive term that polls indicate it's on track to win. The November 2026 election will be the first as premier for Jacinta Allan, who lags opposition leader Brad Battin as preferred state leader. Ms Allan said legislating the right to work from home was good for families and the economy. "Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit," she said. "If you can do your job from home, we'll make it your right." The coalition's push to end to working-from-home for public servants was partly blamed for its unsuccessful result at the May federal election, despite abandoning the policy before polling day. NSW Premier Chris Minns has described remote-work provisions as a thing of the past but stopped short of seeking an end to working from home, instead ordering public servants to work principally in offices. More than one third of Australian employees usually work from home but that number swells to 60 per cent of managers and people in professional services, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The bureau says 43 per cent who work from home do overtime, compared to one quarter of those who do not.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
WFH could become legal right
Working from home for two days a week could become a legal right in Victoria, under new plans proposed by Premier Jacinta Allan. The state government is promising to introduce the law — covering both public and private sectors — by next year, with it applying to anyone who can 'reasonably' carry out their work away from the office. Ms Allan will tell the annual state Labor conference: 'Working from home works for families and it's good for the economy. 'Day after day, unions are being contacted by workers who have been denied reasonable requests to work from home, and across the country, Liberals are drawing up plans to abolish work-from-home and force workers back to the office and back to the past. 'That's why the Allan Labor government is acting. Enshrining work from home in law means this life-changing practice isn't something you or your loved ones have to politely ask for. It's a right you'll be entitled to.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is set to announce the law on Saturday. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia She will add that a consultation will take place on the proposed Australia-first law, but added it won't determine if the plans should go ahead. 'We're already clear on that: it should be. We just need the appropriate laws to reflect it,' she said. Ms Allan said the new policy is aimed directly at supporting families, promising average savings of $110 per week, or $5308 annually in commuting costs. 'Work from home supports women with children, carers and people with a disability to work,' Ms Allan said. 'Thanks to work from home, workforce participation is 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.' The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year. The move follows significant debate about work from home policies during the federal election, with Peter Dutton forced to backtrack on a proposed policy to limit remote work for public servants due to public backlash.
