Page 4072 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 24 October 1990
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There is also a human side to this Bill. A taxi owner or driver who has been in the industry all his or her working life may still want the capital investment of the taxi plate in his or her retirement. This Bill will allow this licence holder to lease the plate to another operator while still retaining ownership of the licence.
Similar advantages could accrue for the family of the owner-driver who passes away, if they still wish to retain the capital investment without wishing to control the operation of the taxi - a suggestion that I have already related in terms of my own experience.
I understand that several such situations have occurred in the ACT. In one case, I believe, the husband passed away unexpectedly and his spouse had to sell the family's principal source of income, the taxi licence, as well as coping with the grief and suffering of the husband's death. This initiative opens up options for improving the effectiveness of both government and the public vehicle industry, and for this reason I urge all to support this Bill.
In closing, might I say that, if Mrs Grassby feels that she may lose out on some of her time as a result of her being unable to take her place on the floor, I would be quite happy to extend to her the opportunity of an extension of time.
MRS GRASSBY (3.54): Unlike the last speaker, we do not waffle on and on and need lots of time. We would like to get this over and done with, and we will have only one speaker on it too, Mr Speaker.
I am glad to see that this Bill has finally seen the light of day. I recall a long discussion with the taxi industry and the departmental officials when I was Minister for Urban Services. One of my recommendations was for the establishment of an ACT taxi advisory committee. I understand that Mr Duby has had the good sense to implement this recommendation. I congratulate him on that.
I am, however, a little perturbed that no reference to that committee appears in Mr Duby's presentation speech and I do hope - I hope Mr Duby is listening to this - that he has consulted adequately with the industry in preparing this Bill, as I have and did.
I have also spoken to the TWU about this Bill and I understand that it, like the industry, has no fundamental objections. As Mr Lamont is one of the members of the Taxi Industry Advisory Committee, I am confident that he would represent the best interests of his members.
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