Cabbies must know English, landmarks
Transport Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to sign a deal with his state counterparts today that will enforce the tough laws for new taxi drivers, which includes speaking and writing basic English.
All potential drivers will have to pass the same eight competency units but a sticking point could be how to target the nation's current 70,000 taxi drivers when their accreditation expires.
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It is understood some states fear bringing in tougher standards for current drivers because it could trigger an exodus at a time when there is a shortage.
Queensland does not have a shortage and the state's Transport Minister Rachel Nolan is likely to reveal today that over time all drivers will have to adhere to the new measures.
Ms Nolan has already announced changes to English language testing for drivers after Queensland Transport's own research showed the state had one of the lowest requirements in the nation.
Queensland did not require testing to be conducted independently of taxi training companies. The state's failure rate was described as "low" compared with South Australia (85-90 per cent), Western Australia (35-40), Victoria (25) and New South Wales (15).
Mr Albanese said it was important there were high standards for the industry. "We need to make sure all drivers, no matter where in the country they're trained, have the skills required to do their job to the highest standards," he said.
"From the middle of next year, all potential drivers will be tested across a range of skills, including basic arithmetic, knowledge of the area's major attractions and English proficiency."
It is understood drivers will only have to know the local attractions. For example, in Townsville it could be The Strand, on the Gold Coast it could be Dreamworld and in Brisbane it could be the airport and South Bank.
Some of the standards include: the ability to operate wheelchair-accessible taxis; the proficient use of a taxi communications systems; and the skills to operate a taxi meter and handle payment transactions.
The move towards national minimum standards comes after The Courier-Mail exposed systemic problems in the industry through its Fare Go series.
Some passengers told of taxi horror stories, complaining of drivers not knowing basic directions and having poor communication skills.
The series led to Ms Nolan handing down a nine-point strategy to reform the industry.
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Added: Nov 5 2009 In: news_politics
By: biggles9 Premium
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Comments - sort by newest to oldest
Speak English, or get the fuq out. Take a shower every now & then while you're @it...
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "neomuttley" (R)
Its about time that someone has the backbone to do something. How in Heavens name did they get the job in the first place. How were they able to read road signs. How did they get their drivers license as well.
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "freedomcalls" (R)
My god..the Qld governemnt actually has done something positive....I am in complete shock
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "LittleBloke" (R)
I wonder how long before its labelled "racist"
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "LittleBloke" (R)
I was talking to a friend of mine just recently who works for immigration, the immigration department are targeting cabbies in most cities and actually finding illegal immigrants from all walks of life and the current thinking is to throw them out of the country back to point of origin, most if not all who have broken the law have exhausted all their avenues of trying to stay and end up staying illegally, time to go..
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "Blackwolfhunting" (R)
I wonder how long before its labelled "racist"
Thats already been said, and they dont care.
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "Blackwolfhunting" (R)
You mean immigrants have trouble understanding Australians?
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "ChockFullOfNuts" (R)
go to Boston, all the drivers have perfect english but don't have a clue where anything is!!
Posted Nov-5-2009 by "joeindabronx"
Australia's getting a major dose of nanny statism. Wake up aussies - tell your politicians you're not kids and can choose your own taxis.
I let off some fireworks last night for my sons - we had a great time - but you poor nanny state controlled sheeple aren't allowed fireworks, cause nanny said you might hurt yourselves.
Whatever has become of the nation of diggers ?
Posted Nov-6-2009 by "Cadae"