Taxi strike looms after controversial laws pass

Date
    June 13, 2013


The state government's controversial shake up of the taxi industry has passed the parliament, with  angry licence holders demanding compensation and threatening disruptions to Melbourne's  taxi service.

The passing of the laws through the parliament at 4pm was greeted with anger by around 100 taxi licence holders on the steps of parliament. The protesters fear that there investment will be worth nothing under plans to introduce more licences.      :-?

The crowd were demanding compensation for the devaluation, many said they would be bankrupted. Most predicted that the changes would cost the government crucial votes at the next election.

Some in the crowd urged a full strike of taxis on Friday with some suggesting a blockade of the city, others called for a hunger strike.      :o


Earlier independent MP Geoff Shaw sided with the government - on Wednesday night Mr Shaw had spoken about the fact cabs in his local area were the best and that the reforms were not needed.

Labor's attempt to move amendments for more consultation failed.

It is understood some on the government backbenchers were worried about the reforms following a letterbox campaign in marginal seats.

The angry crowd blockaded the front of parliament forcing MPs to leave from the back entrance.

Many in the crowd accused the government of racism - the majority of the passionate crowd were migrants.
One placard read "Vote Liberal. Vote for Communism."

Jacob Revzin fled Communist Russia three decades ago and has been involved in Melbourne taxis 32 years ago to build up his retirement.

"The government now took away from me everything. I run away from the Communists, and now the Liberals here have sold their principles," Mr Revzin said.

John Zammit, 74, a Maltese migrant who came to Australia in 1961, says all his years of long shifts in the taxi has came to nothing.

"I don't get a pension, I don't get a health card. This government is going to kill me because I have blood pressure. My children and my grandchildren will never vote Liberal again," he said.    

Peter Khawaja has four licences. He said their entitlements were being stripped off them in the same way proceeds of crime were taken off criminals.     :(

"This is bad. You mortgage your house against this. This is depression stuff," Mr Khawaja said.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/taxi-strike-looms-after-controversial-laws-pass-20130613-2o6mv.html#ixzz2W5GxWfRM

Can someone call me a taxi?.  I want to go to the union office.      :)   

Quote:

The passing of the laws through the parliament at 4pm was greeted with anger by around 100 taxi licence holders

100 license holder and you are up in arms

but no outrage from you about a carbon tax negatively impact millions of people

you are a moron

There are still some people, that do care about the environment.      ;)   

More than 1,000 illegal entrants have died as a result of Labor and Greens and not 1 condemnation from you

but 100 cab licenses and you are up in arms  ;D ;D

You can never get a taxi when you want one.

Maqqa wrote on Jun 13^th, 2013 at 8:38pm:

Quote: The passing of the laws through the parliament at 4pm was greeted with anger by around 100 taxi licence holders 100 license holder and you are up in arms but no outrage from you about a carbon tax negatively impact millions of people you are a moron

says you?

Maqqa wrote on Jun 13^th, 2013 at 8:48pm:

More than 1,000 illegal entrants have died as a result of Labor and Greens and not 1 condemnation from you but 100 cab licenses and you are up in arms  ;D ;D

UTTER

smacking

CRAP!!

wrote on Jun 13^th, 2013 at 6:55pm:

The passing of the laws through the parliament at 4pm was greeted with anger by around 100 taxi licence holders on the steps of parliament. The protesters fear that there investment will be worth nothing under plans to introduce more licences.      Huh

Seriously? A journo is the age is using the wrong 'their'? WTF is our education system coming to? Go back to the 3 rs and forget all the stupid religion crapola!

Meanwhile taxi owners pay over 300k for a license and i epect most of them are in debt for that money.

SOB

Most of the licenses are not held by Taxi drivers????

The drivers work for companies who hold the Licences or are controlled by investors.

The limited License model needs to be broken.

Making Taxi Licences into an open investment opportunity was never the intention or a valid purpose.

The current model works against people who drive taxi's

I left a Blackberry in a Melbourne taxi and had to involve the police to get the stupid driver to return it. So many of them have the ethics of a criminal and the driving skill of a L driver. I've had to tell them how to get to hotels they have never heard of along roads they don't know exist.

Sympathy level... low.

Dnarever wrote on Jun 14^th, 2013 at 9:58am:

Most of the licenses are not held by Taxi drivers???? The drivers work for companies who hold the Licences or are controlled by investors. The limited License model needs to be broken. Making Taxi Licences into an open investment opportunity was never the intention or a valid purpose. The current model works against people who drive taxi's

No the drivers dont hold the taxi licenses. The owners of the taxis do. A lot of the taxi owners drive themselves though and own 2 or 3 taxis. The companies charge them a fee to coordinate all the jobs and take the calls etc. And find/screen drivers.

SOB