Page 388 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 19 February 2019

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MR BARR: The government’s primary interest is in consumers of transport services in the territory. We have a view, that would be very clearly shared by the overwhelming majority of Canberrans, that the taxi services in this city prior to reforms going back four or five years were not meeting the needs of consumers in terms of either the availability of service or the price of service. The government has, through a series of reviews, undertaken to improve on-demand transport and demand-responsive transport for Canberra residents and for visitors to our city. As part of that policy approach, we have also reflected the reality of new entrants into the marketplace and sought to regulate those appropriately. The government remains committed to a consumer-first approach to the delivery of on-demand transport services in Canberra.

MR COE: Chief Minister, will you meet with, look at or at least acknowledge the people in the gallery today and answer the question: why are you releasing more taxi plates in the ACT when there are dozens of licences left on the shelf?

MR BARR: The government recognises that this is an industry in transition, that there are a number of forces that are impacting upon what was previously a highly regulated, highly controlled market. No-one in this life is guaranteed a return on any capital investment and no-one is guaranteed a certain level of return on their investments in an industry in any context.

The government has as its primary focus the needs of consumers, the hundreds of thousands of people who need transport services. They come first for us. We are also particularly concerned about incomes for drivers of taxis and other on-demand transport forms. So our reforms have also been focused on ensuring that the costs of driving in the industry are reduced, the costs of leasing plates and participating in the industry are reduced. This is essential to ensure that consumers benefit, because the entire industry exists for consumers; not for capitalists, for consumers.

Members interjecting—

MADAM SPEAKER: Members, please!

An incident having occurred in the gallery—

MADAM SPEAKER: I also remind folk in the gallery, please, to refrain.

MISS C BURCH: Chief Minister, how can you continue to claim that your government stands for fairness and social inclusion when your government’s policy has decimated the retirement savings of so many hardworking Canberrans?

MR BARR: The government remains focused on the interests of consumers of transport services in the ACT. No government can ever guarantee a return on investment for any investor in any area of capital investment.

Mr Wall interjecting—


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