Queensland cabbies to be paid out for Uber change

THE Queensland government will spend $100 million to legally usher in ride-sharing services like Uber, including a “hardship fund” for taxi drivers.

A screen shot of the Uber taxi app in Brisbane. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has taken to Facebook to confirm her government would legalise ride-sharing services from September 5, with "sweeping reforms" that would create a level playing field. Queensland taxis will be allowed to charge surge pricing and will receive a $100 million industry assistance. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

THE Queensland government will spend $100 million to legally usher in ride-sharing services like Uber, including a “hardship fund” for disadvantaged taxi drivers.

“Sweeping changes” to existing rules will allow companies to operate legally in Queensland from September 5, with taxi drivers paid $20,000 for existing licences.

The government will also waive $4.3 million worth of fees and set up a $26.7 million “hardship fund” for struggling cabbies. Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said drivers would need to allow the government insight into their finances to qualify for the hardship fund.

But he said the changes would enhance the value of the role taxis currently played.

“What we are doing is allowing them to compete and be involved in the booked market in a more flexible way,” he said in Brisbane on Thursday.

Under the changes, fines for soliciting and touting will be doubled from $243 to $487, maximum fares for booked hire services removed and Uber drivers must provide itemised receipts when requested.

The government will also remove the maximum age limit for taxis. The minister framed the changes as “in innovation done with fairness”.

All “booked transport” drivers, including ride-sharing drivers, will need to have a valid drivers’ authorisation.

That will involve health and criminal checks, a vehicle that has a current safety inspection, and a new “booked service” annual licence.

“This will mean that taxis, limousines, hire cars and ride booking will all play under the same entry rules for the booked transport market,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

More than 700 fines have been handed out since tougher laws cracking down on Uber drivers came into play in April.

Ride-sharing services will remain illegal in Queensland until September 5, but Mr Hinchliffe said the department would review existing fines on a case-by-case basis.

“There are a notable number of those fines that related to safety breaches,” he said.

The changes are likely to agitate tensions between the taxi council and Uber, which have been brewing for months since the review was ordered last October.

Katter’s Australian Party MP Rob Katter, a vocal opponent of Uber, accused the government of bowing to the whims of a multinational and making taxpayers fund the changes.

“Using taxpayers to pay for this $100 million industry assistance package is essentially subsidising Uber’s entry into this market,” he said.

Mr Katter said he had grave concerns for the taxi industry following the government’s announcement and warned safety measures must not be lowered.

Originally published as Queensland cabbies to be paid out for Uber change