CABBIES LAUNCH POLL WARFARE

Published on: February 8, 2017Category: News

Courier Mail, 8 Feb 2017
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QUEENSLAND cabbies will campaign from the driver’s seat as part of an “election of­fensive” against the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to legalise ride-sharing.

Taxi Council Queensland yesterday launched a protect program that will involve heavy campaigning in every electorate in the lead up to the election expected this year. Chief executive Benjamin Wash said it was “entirely possible” customers would see political stickers and find themselves handed other campaign material.

He said cabbies will be trained on how to best spread the message to “ensure con­sistency” across tbe board.
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Mr Wash said he had sent a list of TCQ’s demands to every political party and would give them until April to re­spond, before they were shared publicly.

TAXI COUNCIL WILL BE ACTIVE IN STATE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Published on: February 7, 2017Category: Media Release

Media Release
February 7, 2017

Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) will play an active role in ensuring the industry’s voice is heard in the lead up to the next state election, according to CEO Benjamin Wash.

He said that advocacy was a key role of the peak body and that the decision of the State Government to abandon over 16,000 small business operators who abided by the law, in order to placate a multinational company that sends profits overseas, would bother many Queenslanders.

“This Government failed to uphold the rule of law, and allowed a wealthy foreign company to operate with almost no enforcement, in clear breach of regulations. This should send shockwaves through every industry in the state,” he declared.

“It is our responsibility to represent our members and tell Queenslanders which politicians have let down hard-working small business owners.”

He said TCQ has a responsibility to remain non-partisan in its political stance and would not be endorsing any political party.

“But being non-partisan does not negate our ability to be openly critical of bad public policy when the need arises.

“The need has unequivocally arisen and now it is time for TCQ to lead the charge against what can only be described as the worst transport policy ever attempted by a Queensland Government in living history.

“This is about supporting those candidates who are willing to step up and pledge their commitment to fighting for the Queensland taxi industry and Queensland small business.”

Mr Wash said there are no laws made by one Government that cannot be unmade by a future Government, “such is the cornerstone of our democracy here in Queensland.”
ENDS

QLD TAXI COUNCIL’S ‘ELECTION OFFENSIVE’

Published on: February 7, 2017Category: News

AAP on February 7, 2017, 11:43 am
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Taxi Council Queensland has vowed to campaign in every state electorate as part of an “election offensive” over what it claims is the government’s failure to protect cab owners.

Chief executive Benjamin Wash said it would enlist the help of thousands of volunteers, many of whom were expected to be TCQ members and those affected by the downturn in the taxi industry.
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Mr Wash said the TCQ had written to each political party and would throw its support behind any that supported its call for a Personalised Transport Commission.

QLD TAXIS DENY $2.3M FUND FOR HANSON

Published on: January 25, 2017Category: News

By AAP

A group representing taxi drivers in Queensland has denied a multi-million dollar “fighting fund” will be donated to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
Taxi Council Queensland member Peter Conohan told the ABC on Monday that members had voted unanimously on Tuesday in favour of a $720-per-head levy, equating to about $2.3 million in total, to support the party before the upcoming state election.
“This is most probably our last chance. Pauline is a worker, she voices her opinion very verbally, where everyone else has put their head in the sand,” Mr Conohan told ABC Radio.
Senator Hanson has been a vocal critic of the Palaszczuk government’s decision to legalise ride-sharing services such as Uber in August last year.

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/01/25/10/11/qld-taxis-to-donate-2-3m-to-hanson#YSSyW0uThg6HTTcU.99

QLD TAXIS DENY $2.3M FUND IS FOR HANSON

Published on: January 25, 2017Category: News

A group representing taxi drivers in Queensland has denied a multi-million dollar “fighting fund” will be donated to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

Taxi licence holders had told ABC Radio on Wednesday that the state’s 3200-odd taxi operators would each contribute $720 per head to support One Nation.

They said members of Taxi Council Queensland had voted unanimously on Tuesday in favour of the levy, which would equate to around $2.3 million going to the party ahead of the upcoming state election.
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But the Taxi Council released a statement following the interviews denying any money would go towards One Nation.

It said while Senator Hanson had attended the meeting and given a speech, “no finances whatsoever are going towards any political candidate or party”.
© AAP 2017

​http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/01/25/10/11/qld-taxis-to-donate-2-3m-to-hanson

STATEMENT FROM TAXI COUNCIL QUEENSLAND

Published on: January 25, 2017Category: Media Release

Media Statement​
January 25, 2017

Reports this morning that Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ) is supporting One Nation are incorrect. No finances whatsoever are going towards any political candidate or party. Senator Pauline Hanson and Steve Dickson MP addressed a general meeting of TCQ yesterday and pledged to support the taxi industry and fight for fairness in upcoming legislation around personalised transport. We welcome that support, and we also welcome the support of any other MP from any party. For the past two years TCQ members have financially contributed to our campaign for fair legislation and yesterday’s commitment was a continuation of that. Like all peak bodies, TCQ relies on the financial support of members.
ENDS

RESTAURANT CLOSURE HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF GOVT SUPPORT FOR HONEST BUSINESSPEOPLE

Published on: January 10, 2017Category: Media Release

Media Release
January 10, 2017

The news that Brisbane restaurateurs Augustine and Judy Tso have been forced to close popular eatery Augustine’s on George after 31 years due to the development of the Queen’s Wharf project is sad for the state and for small business operators, according to Taxi Council Queensland (TCQ).

TCQ Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Wash says while he understands the need for development and the closure of the building, it doesn’t appear as though the State Government really cares about the impact on the business owners.

He compared their plight to that of taxi owners who, “are small business owners who pay their taxes, yet were hung out to dry by the Government who changed regulations to suit a multinational company that pays no GST or tax.”

“Everyone understands progress, but this Government believes that progress means steamrolling over small business operators in the process,” he said.

“Most politicians have never operated a business and many have spent their life living off the public purse, which gives them a deluded sense of what is right and wrong.

“Small business operators don’t want a free ride. But they do expect that if they act ethically, obey the law and pay their taxes, they will be supported by the governments they elect.

“Sadly, the examples of the taxi industry and now it seems other small business owners do not support that fair and reasonable notion.”

Mr Wash said the Government needed to listen, and should remember the fate of both the Newman Government, the slim win by the Federal Government at the last election, and the increased support of parties like One Nation and Katter’s Australia party.

“In the seat of Longman, Wyatt Roy was defeated because he didn’t stand up for hard working business people. The Newman Government was defeated because they didn’t listen.

“The minor parties are listening and supporting their constituents, and the Government should be taking note.”
ENDS

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