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Uber laws likely to pass last hurdle in Tasmania

Thursday, 18 Aug 2016 05:01:15 | Emilie Gramenz

A change to the Uber laws will restrict new taxi licences until 2018. (ABC: James Glenday)

Tasmania's Upper House is likely to pass legislation today that will pave the way for ride-sourcing companies like Uber to operate in the state.

Members of the Legislative Council agreed to an amendment to the bill on Wednesday night, which will extend the timeframe that the State Government can restrict the issuing of new taxi licenses.

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding will now be able to restrict new licenses until 2018, an extra year.

The bill, which passed the Lower House in April, will see Uber and similar companies operate under restrictions similar to hire cars.

Hobart MLC Rob Valentine, one of the majority who support the new laws, told Parliament it was impossible to ensure the playing field between ride-sharing companies and taxis was completely equal.

"We all know competition is important to ensure the services are as good as they can be," he said.

Montgomery MLC Leonie Hiscutt said it was inevitable that services like Uber established in Tasmania.

"We could hear Uber coming for a long time and they've arrived on our doorstep here," she said.

"The taxi drivers have got some fairly serious competition, and I think it is something which is inevitable, however regrettable for that particular sector."

Uber will take the 'cream'

But Huon MLC Robert Armstrong had doubts about the fairness of allowing Uber and taxis to operate together.

"Taxis can sit on a taxi rank for 12 hours a day and night, and then when we have football or something else in Hobart. That's when taxi drivers want to make their money," he told the Upper House.

"Uber comes in, operates at those peak times, then I don't think you'll see them late at night.

"They're picking the cream, I take it, from the taxi drivers."

The Government said it was continuing to engage with Uber about its regulatory framework, after the company earlier raised doubts that it would set up in Tasmania even with the new laws.

AustraliaPlus


 

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