SYKES – SAYS IMPLEMENT COMMONSENSE SOLUTIONS FOR TAXIS NOW

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, says the Government review into the country taxi industry is good news but the industry cannot afford to wait for action.

The Government, today, officially agreed to conduct a review into the country taxi crisis. The review comes as the result of a hard fought campaign to finally get the Government to recognise the challenges that threaten country Victoria’s proxy form of public transport. This is a win for the industry and the community.

Dr Sykes said, “After considering the Terms of Reference for the review I am pleased to see this problem is finally being given due consideration by the Government. This issue must be addressed in depth to resolve the problems once and for all.

“I fully support a detailed analysis of the situation to make sure our taxi operators do not face these problems again. However, there’s no need to wait for the results, of what may be a long winded process, before taking decisive action.

“The country taxi industry and The Nationals have already highlighted a range of obvious, commonsense solutions to this crisis and whilst I appreciate the benefit of a detailed review, steps have already been identified to alleviate the problem.

“I strongly urge the Government not to sit back and wait for the results while the industry continues to suffer… but instead implement changes immediately, at least for the interim, as a long overdue act of good faith.

Dr Sykes continued, “They can start by offering country operators the same subsidies available to city operators for Wheelchair Access Taxis. Further steps to reduce the strangling Government red tape should also be part of an immediate plan of action.

“The Acting Minister for Transport is keen to take credit for the increase in the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program and appears to consider that enough as an interim measure. The Government giving back part of what they took away in the first place is hardly cause for patting themselves on the back! We need real action here, not token gestures.

Dr Sykes concluded, “The review is good news but it is not the end of the battle. We need to keep up the pressure on the Government to ensure immediate steps are taken and the review is swift, thorough and delivers practical results.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989