Taxi Council calls on State Gov to force Uber to put cameras in cars

A GOLD Coast man is the third Uber driver to be charged with rape in the southeast. The Taxi Council is now pleading with the State Government to make a change.

The 24-year-old Coombabah man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was refused bail in the Southport Magistrates Court at the weekend after being charged with rape and assault relating to a shocking incident that allegedly occurred at 1am in the heart of the city. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

THE Queensland Taxi Council have called on the State Government to force Uber drivers to fit security cameras in cars after a 20-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a ride-share driver on the Gold Coast.

The calls come as transport reforms announced yesterday by Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey requiring cameras to be fitted in vehicles with a “certain risk profile” does not cover Uber.

Only vehicles where drivers deal with cash and completely anonymous customers must comply, a spokesman for the minister said yesterday.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey yesterday announced reforms requiring Queensland Uber drivers to hold a taxi licence, from January. Picture: Stewart Mclean.

On Saturday, the Gold Coast Bulletin revealed a local Uber driver allegedly locked the doors of his car and raped a 20-year-old woman in Surfers Paradise in the early hours of the morning.

The 24-year-old Coombabah man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was refused bail in the Southport Magistrates Court at the weekend after being charged with rape and assault relating to a shocking incident that allegedly occurred at 1am in the heart of the city.

Police allege the Indian hospitality student, who had only been driving for the ride-sharing company for two months, stopped the car, locked the doors, reclined the woman’s seat and began kissing her before he raped her in the early hours of the morning.

Duty lawyer Sam Jackson, of Bamberry Lawyers, told the court the 24-year-old denied the allegations.

Queensland Taxi Council chief executive Blair Davies said this was the third Uber driver to be charged with rape in southeast Queensland in recent months. Picture: AFP.

He said the man had no criminal history and the incident “appeared isolated”.

However, Magistrate Christopher Callaghan refused the man’s bail application.

“What we have here is a vulnerable woman who was allegedly preyed upon by this young man,” he said.

Queensland Taxi Council chief executive Blair Davies said this was the third Uber driver to be charged with rape in southeast Queensland in recent months.

“The question for Premier Palaszczuk and her Government is a simple one: How many more incidents will we have? How many more young females must needlessly become the victims of sexual predators before Queenslanders see some real action to make ride booking services safer?” he said.

“What we have here is a vulnerable woman who was allegedly preyed upon by this young man,” Magistrate Christopher Callaghan. Picture: AFP.

“We have had security cameras in Queensland taxis since 2005.”

Mr Blair said the new regulations failed to protect vulnerable female passengers and the community cannot wait eighteen months for a planned review into the industry.

New reforms announced yesterday will require Queensland Uber drivers to hold a taxi licence, from January.

Other changes include improved signage for booked hire services.

“If operators, licence holders, drivers, or any parties in the industry fail to adhere to the new regulatory requirements, we will act swiftly to revoke licences or issue financial penalties as appropriate,” Mr Bailey said.