Mr Speaker, I commend the Government Response to the Assembly.

Review of the Water Resources Act 1998.

Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission-Taxi fares-Final report for 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2003.

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

Mr Speaker, I present the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission's report 'Taxi Fares for 1 July 2001 - 30 June 2003, pursuant to the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997.

This report is the second review of taxi fares conducted by the Commission and I thank the Senior Commissioner, Mr Paul Baxter, for his report.

The Terms of Reference to the Commission required investigation into:

� the methodology for determining prices, and to recommend maximum taxi fares for a two year period from 1 July 200 1; and

� matters referred to in Section 20 of the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission Act 1997 including standards of quality, reliability and safety; the need for greater efficiency and the principles of ecological sustainable development.

Mr Speaker, I welcome the Commissioner's Direction on taxi fares.

In summary, the Commission recommended that:

� the average maximum taxi fare be increased by 5.5 % from 1 July 2001; and