Page 402 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 19 February 2019
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Mrs Dunne: I take the point that the Chief Minister has withdrawn the term “Nazi” but, on a separate point of order, the standing orders require that the chair be addressed, that you do not talk to a member opposite. It does not require you to specifically have your eyes locked on the chair at all times.
Opposition members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs Dunne. But the standing orders are very clear on interjections. Let us be clear on that one. To my left: how about no further interjections?
Mr Parton interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: You are warned, Mr Parton. That was unnecessary, frivolous, cheeky and certainly not in character. Perhaps in character. Chief Minister.
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Speaker. There can be no guarantee in any industry. And this government has not sold a perpetual taxi licence. It is as simple and straightforward as that. There are many factors that will impact on the value of people’s investments in many industries. But in the end, as I have indicated, the government’s priority is consumers because in the end there is no industry without consumers.
MS CODY: Chief Minister, given that Uber was entering the market regardless—
Ms Lawder: I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: On the preamble?
Ms Lawder: Yes.
MADAM SPEAKER: I was about to stop Ms Cody and ask her to go straight to the question. There is no preamble in a supplementary question.
MS CODY: What work did the government undertake to assist transition while protecting consumers?
MR BARR: There was a considerable amount of work prior to the entry of Uber into the ACT market. That included significant regulatory changes and the reduction of ACT government fees for those operating in the industry, as well as the application of regulation to Uber in the ACT that did not occur in other parts of Australia.
But there is the simple fact that that competition was coming and that competition was only coming, and would only be utilised, because of the high levels of dissatisfaction from consumers. If there had been no problem at all with our taxi service prior to Uber’s introduction, no-one would have used Uber. But people do, because they believe they get a better service. That is the market operating.
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