Two-strikes rule to slam brakes on dodgy taxi drivers
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."
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
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Victorian energy minister ‘forced to admit' state is uncertain over renewable costings
Sky News host Peta Credlin discusses Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's admission the state government is uncertain over the 'full cost' of its renewables plan. 'Interestingly today, Victorian Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio forced to admit the full cost of the government's renewable energy plan is unknown,' Ms Credlin said. 'She does not know what it is.'
Herald Sun
6 hours ago
- Herald Sun
How life will change for millions of Aussie from July 1
Don't miss out on the headlines from Economy. Followed categories will be added to My News. From minimum wage increases to a crackdown on tobacco, a number of changes will come to effect for millions of Australians from July 1. State and federal governments typically use the new financial year as a starting point for a range of regulatory and legislative changes. Among this year's changes are an increase to the minimum wage and changes to skilled migration. The NSW and Victorian governments will also crack down on tobacco with new licensing schemes. The Albanese government will institute a number of changes from July 1. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw See the full list of changes here: National – The minimum wage will increase by 3.5 per cent from July 1. The Fair Work Commission has approved the increase in the national minimum award to $948 per week or $24.95 per hour, which will apply from the first full pay period starting on or after July 1. The minimum award wages will increase by the same percentage. – A number of changes to nsuperannuation will come into effect from July 1. On that day, the superannuation guarantee rate will increase to 12 per cent. The new percentage will be applied to all salary and wages paid to eligible workers on or after July 1, and will mean employers will have to pay a minimum of 12 per cent to an employee's superannuation fund. The maximum super contribution base will meanwhile decrease from $65,070 to $62,500. – From July 1, Services Australia will lift the number of Parental Leave Pay days from 110 to 120 for children born from that day. Parents, including of adoptive children, will be able to claim up to three months before the date they expect the child to 'enter their care'. – Skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6 per cent from July 1, when the annual indexation takes affect. The Core Skills Income Threshold and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold will increase from $73,150 to $76,515 while the Specialist Skills Income Threshold will increase to $141,210. – The sorts of products smokers can purchase is set to change from July 1. In the new financial year, a raft of changes to tobacco sales will come into full affect, including the banning of flavoured or menthol cigarettes, the removal of names such as 'smooth' and 'gold', packets will be standardised at 20 cigarettes, as well as the rolling out of consistent shapes and sizes, and new health information. Many of the changes have already been implemented. NSW Premier Chris Minns has faced criticism ahead of the state's tobacco crackdown. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard NSW – From July 1, NSW will finally have a tobacco licensing scheme. Retail businesses selling tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products will be required to notify NSW Health, with stiff penalties for any breaches. – A new Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme will be introduced on July 1. It will give workers in the community services industry, who often work with multiple employers, access to long service leave after seven years of service to the industry with one or more employers. – Improved protections for renters will come into effect from July 1, including making it easier for accessibility infrastructure to be installed, providing evidence that an animal is an assistance animal, and obtaining approval for minor renovations. – A raft of changes to strata in NSW will come into effect from July 1. They include new strata committee duties, protection for owners in strata from unfair terms, increased penalties for developers, and other improvements to strata laws. – Community land law changes will also take effect from July 1, including ensuring that sustainability is discussed during annual general meetings, that requests to change association property for accessibility infrastructure only needs a majority vote at an association meeting, and that by-laws don't ban sustainability infrastructure based on appearance – except if it is a heritage property. Tobacconists in NSW and Victoria will require a licence from July 1. Picture: Newswire/ Gaye Gerard Victoria – New rules requiring motorists to slow down to 40km when passing workers on the roadside, or stationary or slow-moving vehicles (travelling at 10km/h or less) displaying flashing lights, will be introduced from July 1. Previously applicable to emergency and law enforcement vehicles, motorists will now also have to slow down for other vehicles, including accident towing trucks, roadside assistance, and incident response vehicles. – From July 1, tobacco retailers and wholesalers will be required to apply for a licence to sell tobacco products. Tough penalties will apply for those found contravening the new regulations, inducing a fine of $829,878 for anyone operating without a licence or caught possessing or selling illicit tobacco. For an individual, it is $165,975 (or five years prison. – A planning permit will not automatically be required for a venue with a liquor licence in Victoria beginning July 1. – The payroll tax free threshold will increase from July 1 to will be lifted from $900,000 to $1,000,000 for annual returns, and from $75,000 to $83,333 for monthly returns. – The Victorian Default Offer, a set electricity price, will be set at $1675 from July 1. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has spearheaded a number of changes. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis Queensland – Annual rent and eligibility checks for all social housing tenants will be reintroduced from July 1. The checks will confirm if tenants still meet income thresholds. – People convicted of a crime will pay more from July 1, when the Queensland government indexes the rate of a penalty unit. From that date, a single penalty unit will rise from $161.3 to $166.9 for most offences covered under state legislation, as well local law penalties. Western Australia – Reforms to WA's public sector will begin to take effect from July 1. They include the transition of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation to the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification and a new Office of Defence Industries. A new Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration will administer and drive the future development of the resources industry. – Rebates will be made available for residential solar batteries of up to $1300 for Synergy customers and up to $3,800 for Horizon Power customers from July 1. The reforms are aimed at allowing more households access to batteries and rebates. South Australia – The SA government will implement cost of living measures from July 1, including capping the price of a 28-day student pass on the MetroCard to $10 – down from $28.60. The change means a trip for a student on public transport will cost about 25c. Victorian motorists will finally have to slow to 40km for roadworks. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Tasmania – RBF Life Pensions, Interim Invalidity Pensions, and Parliamentary Pensions will be indexed in-line with reflation and a Consumer Price Index of 1.150 per cent on July 1. – TasWater, Tasmania's water and sewage utility, will increase its prices by 3.5 per cent from July 1. The average residential customer will see an increase of about 12.04 cents per day. – From July 1, the electoral reforms will establish a new scheme for disclosing political donations and electoral expenditure in parliamentary elections, and administering public funding in relation to House of Assembly elections in Tasmania. Northern Territory – The payroll tax-free threshold will increase to $2.5m on July 1, with maximum annual deductions also increased to $2.5 million maximum annual deduction to $2.5 million ACT – On July 1, the ACT government will raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. – A short-term rental accommodation levy will be introduced in the ACT on July 1. It will apply to books of no more than 28 days. – The ACT Public Service will berestructured from July 1, including directorate mergers, function transfers and the creation of the new Digital Canberra directorate. Originally published as How life will change for millions of Aussie from July 1
West Australian
11 hours ago
- West Australian
How life will change for millions of Aussie from July 1
From minimum wage increases to a crackdown on tobacco, a number of changes will come to effect for millions of Australians from July 1. State and federal governments typically use the new financial year as a starting point for a range of regulatory and legislative changes. Among this years changes are an increase to the minimum wage and changes to skilled migration. The NSW and Victorian governments will also crackdown on tobacco with new licensing schemes. See the full list of changes here: National – The minimum wage will increase by 3.5 per cent from July 1. The Fair Work Commission will raise the National Minimum Award to $948 per week or $24.95 per hour, which will apply from the first full pay period starting on or after July 1. The minimum award wages will increase by the same percentage. – A number of changes to superannuation will come into effect from July 1. On that day, the superannuation guarantee rate will increase to 12 per cent. The new percentage will be applied to all salary and wages paid to eligible workers on or after July 1, and will mean employers will have to pay a minimum of 12 per cent to an employees superannuation fund. The maximum super contribution base will meanwhile decrease from $65,070 to $62,500. – From July 1, Services Australia will lift the number of Parental Leave Pay days from 110 to 120 for children born from that day. Parents, including of adoptive children, will be able to claim up to three months before the date they expect the child to 'enter their care'. – Skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6 per cent from July 1, when the annual indexation takes affect. The Core Skills Income Threshold and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold will increase from $73,150 to $76,515 while the Specialist Skills Income Threshold will increase to $141,210. – The sorts of products smokers can purchase is set to change from July 1. In the new financial year, a raft of changes to tobacco sales will come into full affect, including the banning of flavoured or menthol cigarettes, the removal of names such as 'smooth' and 'gold', packets will ne standardised at 20 cigarettes, as well as the rolling out of consistent shapes and sizes, and new health information. Many of the changes have already been implemented. NSW – From July 1, NSW will finally have a tobacco licensing scheme . Retail businesses selling tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products will required to notify NSW Health, with stiff penalties for any breaches. – A new Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme will be introduced on July 1. It will give workers in the community services industry, who often work with multiple employers, access to long service leave after seven years of service to the industry with one or more employers. – Improved protections for renters are slated to come into effect from July 1, including making it easier for accessibility infrastructure to be installed, providing evidence that an animal is an assistance animal, and obtaining approval for minor renovations. – A raft of changes to strata in NSW will come into effect from July 1. They include new strata committee duties, protection for owners in strata from unfair terms, increased penalties for developers, and other improvements to strata laws. – Community land law changes will also take effect from July 1, including ensuring that sustainability is discussed during annual general meetings, that requests to change association property for accessibility infrastructure only needs a majority vote at an association meeting, and that by-laws don't ban sustainability infrastructure based on appearance – except if it is a heritage property. Victoria – New rules requiring motorists to slow down to 40km when passing workers on the roadside, or stationary or slow-moving vehicles (travelling at 10 km/h or less) displaying flashing lights, will be introduced from July 1. Previously applicable to emergency and law enforcement vehicles, motorists will now also have to slow down for other vehicles, including accident towing trucks, roadside assistance, and incident response vehicles. – From July 1, tobacco retailers and wholesalers will be required to apply for a licence to sell tobacco products. Tough penalties will apply for those found contravening the new regulations, inducing a fine of $829,878 for anyone operating without a licence or caught possessing or selling illicit tobacco. For an individual, it is $165,975 (or five years prison. – A planning permit will not automatically be required for a venue with a liquor licence in Victoria beginning July 1. – The payroll tax free threshold will increase from July 1 to will be lifted from $900,000 to $1,000,000 for annual returns, and from $75,000 to $83,333 for monthly returns. – The Victorian Default Offer , a set electricity price, will be set at $1675 from July 1. Queensland – Annual rent and eligibility checks for all social housing tenants will be reintroduced from July 1. The checks will confirm if tenants still meet income thresholds. – People convicted of a crime with pay more from July 1, when the Queensland government indexes the rate of a penalty unit . From that date, a single penalty unit will rise from $161.3 to $166.9 for most offences covered under state legislation, as well local law penalties. Western Australia – Reforms to WA's public sector will begin to take effect from July 1. They include the transition of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation to the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification and a new Office of Defence Industries. A new Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration will administer and drive the future development of the resources industry. – Rebates will be made available for residential solar batteries of up to $1300 for Synergy customers and up to $3,800 for Horizon Power customers from July 1. The reforms are aimed at allowing more households access to batteries and rebates. South Australia – The SA government will implement cost of living measures from July 1, including capping the price of a 28-day student pass on the MetroCard to $10 – down from $28.60. The change means a trip for a student on public transport will cost about 25c. Tasmania – RBF Life Pensions, Interim Invalidity Pensions, and Parliamentary Pensions will be indexed in-line with reflation and a Consumer Price Index of 1.150 per cent on July 1. – TasWater , Tasmania's water and sewage utility, will increase its prices by 3.5 per cent from July 1. The average residential customer will see an increase of about 12.04 cents per day. – From July 1, the electoral reforms will establish a new scheme for disclosing political donations and electoral expenditure in parliamentary elections, and administering public funding in relation to House of Assembly elections in Tasmania. Northern Territory – The payroll tax-free threshold will increase to $2.5m on July 1, with maximum annual deductions also increased to $2.5 million maximum annual deduction to $2.5 million Australian Capital Territory – On July 1, the ACT government will raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. – A short-term rental accommodation levy will be introduced in the ACT on July 1. It will apply to books of no more than 28 days. – The ACT Public Service will be restructured from July 1, including directorate mergers, function transfers and the creation of the new Digital Canberra directorate.
