Page 3936 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 23 October 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
reducing the red tape associated with decision making, ensuring improved service to the community, and is a very welcome one indeed. I commend the Bill to the Assembly.
MR STEFANIAK (8.46): I remember very well Mrs Grassby's initial problems in this matter when she was Minister in the early days of this Assembly. I think I was the one who had to bring it to her notice. The Liberal Party certainly had no problems with the then proposed taxi fares. I personally had been lobbied by a number of taxi drivers, pushing the justice of their case. They had not had a fare rise for about two years then. I know there were problems and I discussed it with the then Minister, Mrs Grassby, and I was pleased to see that she was in fact responsive to it. I remember that well, Mr Speaker.
I am also pleased to support this Bill to amend the Act because it will allow future taxi fares to be set by ministerial determination - a much quicker approach than what had to happen in the past.
This Bill will allow new fare levels to be implemented far more rapidly than the present legislative requirements allow. The increased speed of implementation of new fare levels will allow fares to more accurately reflect market conditions. Situations which dramatically affect the operating costs of taxis can be swiftly countered by an appropriate fare increase, allowing operators to avoid potential periods of hardship associated with unforeseen cost increases. The Government recognises that the transport industry generally is volatile and often subject to the influence of cost fluctuations quite outside the industry's control. Whilst it is essential to continue to aim for more efficient passenger transport, efforts also have to be made to ensure that enterprises such as taxi operations are not disadvantaged by inflexible administrative processes.
The responsible setting of taxi fares is totally consistent with this Government's overall transport strategy for the ACT. Allowing our community to traverse this city in the most efficient and effective way, be it by private transport, by taxi or by bus, is a high priority for this Government.
However, the effectiveness of the taxi industry depends on the continued financial viability of its members. For this reason alone we must ensure that fare reviews are processed as quickly as possible to alleviate the problems and the great hardship many taxi drivers and their families faced in the past. It is with this in mind that I take great pleasure in supporting this Bill.
MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services) (8.48), in reply: I am genuinely pleased at the support given to this Bill to allow the Motor Traffic Act 1936 to be amended to allow taxi fares to be set by ministerial determination. The support shown from both sides of the house and by
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .