Taxi drivers vow ‘war’ with State Government over industry changes

LATEST: TAXI drivers today took their “war” to Premier Daniel Andrews’ office amid threats to shut down AFL Grand Final services or blockade city streets.

Taxi drivers protest outside the Victorian Parliament on Spring St. Picture: David Crosling

TAXI drivers and licence-holders have vowed to go to “war” against the State Government’s industry shake-up, threatening to shut down AFL Grand Final services or blockade city streets.

Hundreds of drivers and licence-holders met in Melbourne yesterday, and pledged to send Premier Daniel Andrews a message by rallying at his Mulgrave electoral office today.

Today, they made good with the promise, dozens of cabbies gathered at Mr Andrews’ office in Noble Park to protest the licence buyback agreement which will see them compensated $100,000 for their taxi licence.

Outside the office the protesters demanded the government give them answers, saying the buyback scheme would “ruin their lives”.

And if the Premier doesn’t reply to their demands within 24 hours, drivers are threatening to protest at his home.

#Cabbies protesting at Daniel Andrews' electoral office @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/7CyV4RF61Y

— Therese Allaoui (@tajournalist) August 29, 2016

It follows a heated meeting yesterday in the city, in which some speakers called for sustained action aimed at the government.

Several urged shutdowns at the airport or at Flinders Street station, or even on Grand Final eve, to get their message through to the public.

The meeting was organised by Victorian Taxi and Hire Car Families, which asked participants for $1500 donations to go into a $1.5 million legal fighting fund.

Dozens of #cabbies and families protesting taxi licence buyout at Premier Andrews' electorate office @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/uK8LD8fkGY

— Therese Allaoui (@tajournalist) August 29, 2016

The government revealed last week that it would “level the playing field” in the taxi industry from 2018. Its changes would increase competition and legalise the Uber ride-share service but effectively reduce the value of taxi licences.

The government said last week it would pay up to $100,000 compensation for owners of one licence, and $50,000 for a second licence. Licence holders could continue to operate and run businesses under the new scheme, the government said.

Compensation for licence owners is to be raised through a $2 levy on all taxi, hire car or ride share services trips.

Melbourne taxi drivers hold a protest outside Parliament on Spring St. Picture: David Crosling

Today, Victorian Taxi and Hire Car Families spokesman David Singh said cabbies were against the $2 levy which will be charged to passengers.

“We’re not asking for a payout, don’t touch the licence,” Mr Singh said.

Elizabeth Michaelides said her “devastated” father Chris Michaelides will lose his livelihood and will end up on the pension if the buyback scheme goes ahead.

Mr Michaelides, 72, has been driving cabs for more than 45 years.

“He was holding on to the licence for his retirement,” she said.

“People don’t understand it’s the working class who own these licences, not big greedy businessman.

“The drivers will be on welfare, they’re stuffed.

“We don’t want them to be pushed into homelessness, into bankruptcy, or pushed into poverty.

“How can they destroy the lives of these people?”

“The drivers will be on welfare, they’re stuffed,” she said.

“We want to be heard and not feel like we’ve been silenced.”

#Cabbies protesting at Daniel Andrews' electoral office @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/7CyV4RF61Y

— Therese Allaoui (@tajournalist) August 29, 2016

Drivers and licence holders held up signs with a strong message. Picture: David Crosling

Protesters stood united in ‘war’ against Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: David Crosling

Earlier, taxi driver and owners met at the Veneto Club, Bulleen to discuss their pledge. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Hundreds attended the tense meeting. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Tensions ran high at the meeting. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A woman wipes away tears. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The compensation move has stunned many cab licence owners, some who told the Herald Sun they stood to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars after buying licences for as much as $500,000 several years ago.

Angry cabbies told the Herald Sun the government would be making more money from the levy than it planned to compensate licence holders.

“I am left with a debt, for what I paid for my licence, and what have I got now? Nothing,” one driver said.

Victorian Taxi and Hire Car Families president Sandy Spanos said the government had stolen assets, which one meeting participant yelled was “Communism”.

Others called for greater scrutiny of Uber and its tax affairs, while a staff member of federal MP Anthony Byrne promised to help drivers put their cases to governments.

Ms Spanos’s son Evan urged drivers to start a picket line at key sites, while a vote on the floor of the meeting decided to target Mr Andrews’s office today.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said drivers and licence owners in hardship would have access to a $50 million fund.

“People who think they might be eligible and want to access that, I would strongly encourage them to make contact with the Taxi Services Commission,” she said.

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with Therese Allaoui