Dear members of Parliament or any other media outlets,
Some of the burning issues of the taxi industry are attached below. Please examine the real issues and do something to improve the industry rather than inciting racism and sectarianism based on totally false and illogical stand as Channel 7 did last night.
Some of the burning issues of the taxi industry are attached below. Please examine the real issues and do something to improve the industry rather than inciting racism and sectarianism based on totally false and illogical stand as Channel 7 did last night.
Ta.
A. The taxi companies inspect their own taxis under the guise of Authorised Taxi Inspections Schemes (ATIS). Unlike moving vessels such as trains, planes, ships and other plant and equipment a taxi cab operator is not obliged under the law to go through a Check List prior to the commencement of a shift, or at any time! This is a deliberate ploy to remove, or at least reduce, the quality control and quality assurance of NSW taxicabs, and it is detrimental to the interests of taxi drivers and their passengers.
B. Taxi companies and radio networks are not answerable to the NSW Department of Transport, and their failure to comply with regulations does not attract any penalties whatsoever! That's why they are deliberately running down their taxi radio networks, contrary to the interests of the traveling public and taxi drivers. The radio networks make more money if fewer drivers and passengers use their systems due to the guaranteed income protection mechanism built in to the NSW Passenger Transport Acts and Regulations.
C. Despite many valid requests the taxi companies are not obliged to provide a safe workplace under the Duty of Care provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Acts! Taxi companies collected a lot of money from taxi drivers and passengers under the guise of taxi driver safety and then gave us virtually nothing!
The NSW Ombudsman said, "the Department of Transport is CAPTURED by the NSW Taxi Council". The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) said, "the NSW Department of Transport is EVASIVE, not forthcoming". Taxi drivers believe that the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd and Cabcharge Pty Ltd control the NSW Department of Transport!
The NSW Passenger Transport Act and Regulations allow the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd, Cabcharge Pty Ltd, taxi companies and taxi networks to get away with murder! The long awaited proposed Transport Regulations continue in this tradition of deliberate negligence and neglect! Should you wish to have a safe and secure taxi industry, as well as a fair and balanced society, then please ask questions of members of Parliament, the media and community activists about the issues outlined above.
B. Taxi companies and radio networks are not answerable to the NSW Department of Transport, and their failure to comply with regulations does not attract any penalties whatsoever! That's why they are deliberately running down their taxi radio networks, contrary to the interests of the traveling public and taxi drivers. The radio networks make more money if fewer drivers and passengers use their systems due to the guaranteed income protection mechanism built in to the NSW Passenger Transport Acts and Regulations.
C. Despite many valid requests the taxi companies are not obliged to provide a safe workplace under the Duty of Care provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Acts! Taxi companies collected a lot of money from taxi drivers and passengers under the guise of taxi driver safety and then gave us virtually nothing!
The NSW Ombudsman said, "the Department of Transport is CAPTURED by the NSW Taxi Council". The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) said, "the NSW Department of Transport is EVASIVE, not forthcoming". Taxi drivers believe that the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd and Cabcharge Pty Ltd control the NSW Department of Transport!
The NSW Passenger Transport Act and Regulations allow the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd, Cabcharge Pty Ltd, taxi companies and taxi networks to get away with murder! The long awaited proposed Transport Regulations continue in this tradition of deliberate negligence and neglect! Should you wish to have a safe and secure taxi industry, as well as a fair and balanced society, then please ask questions of members of Parliament, the media and community activists about the issues outlined above.
Faruque Ahmed
Veteran Taxi Industry Activist
Mobile: 041 091 4118, Email: union_faruque@yahoo.com.au
Blog: http://nswmot.blogspot.com/2007/08/public-transport-system-controlled-by.html
Mr. John Watkins, MP
Minister for Transport
Level 30
Governor Macquarie Tower
Sydney NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9228 4866Facsimile: (02) 9228 4855
CC to all Members of Parliament and media.
Re: Mass Murder by the NSW DoT Regulation
Dear Mr. Watkins,
Your department virtually ignored the good works of:
1. Justice Beattie Report
2. Justice Edwards Report
3. Driving Forces (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
4. Driving Forward, (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
5. Keatsdale Report (The DoT and NSW WorkCover Authority),
6. Dalziel Reports (Sydney University) and
7. Alan Cook reports and
8. Roy Morgan Report re ATIS conducted by Ann Matheson.
The NSW Ombudsman said, “the Department of transport is CAPTURED by the NSW Taxi council”. The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) said, “the NSW Department of Transport is EVASIVE, NOT FORTHCOMING”. The taxi drivers believe that the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd and Cabcharge Pty Ltd control the NSW Department of Transport!
The NSW Passenger Transport Act and Regulations allow the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd, Cabcharge Pty Ltd, taxi companies and taxi networks to get away with murder! The long awaited proposed Transport Regulations also continues the stinky tradition!
In support of my claims I would like to add the following for the time being:
A. The taxi companies basically inspect their own taxis under the guise of Authorised Taxi Inspections Schemes (ATIS). Unlike any moving vessels like trains, planes, ships or any other plant and equipment, a taxi cab operator is not obliged under the law to go through a ‘Check List’ prior to the commencement of a shift or at any time! This is a deliberate ploy to remove or at least reduce the quality control and quality assurance of NSW taxicabs detrimental to taxi drivers’ and passengers’ interest.
B. Taxi companies and radio networks are not answerable to the NSW Department of Transport and any ‘failure to comply’ does not attract any penalties whatsoever! That’s why they are deliberately running down their taxi radio networks contrary to the interest of the travelling public and taxi drivers. Because the radio networks make more money if less drivers and passengers use their system due to the guaranteed income protection mechanism built in to the NSW Passenger Transport Acts and Regulations.
C. Despite many valid requests, the taxi companies are not obliged to provide a safe workplace under the ‘Duty of Care’ provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Acts! That’s why, taxi companies collected a lot of money from taxi drivers and passengers under the guise of taxi driver safety earlier and then virtually they gave us nothing!
According to a few media reports, it appears, your department is using the Bulldog Scandal graduate Mr. Dave Madden and his ‘out of touch’ and elite report to incite racism and prejudice against taxi drivers similar to Dr. Mohamed Haneef scandal as confirmed by former Prime Minster Paul Keating.
The communication of 1995 and reply thereby do not support to day’s racist outburst. On that time, “The number of taxi drivers suffering from communication problems (e.g. English)” was less than 8% and the department told us, “things are improving”. So, what is the real story? Where is the truth? Who have been issuing taxi drivers authority to people with no communication skills and why?
One must wonder why the hell your proposed regulatory changes are providing the ‘taxi mafia’ a licence to murder anyone without any constraint whatsoever and crucifies taxi drivers all the time without any good reason?
Sincerely Yours
Faruque Ahmed, Adelaide Indy Media
Re: Mass Murder by the NSW DoT Regulation
Dear Mr. Watkins,
Your department virtually ignored the good works of:
1. Justice Beattie Report
2. Justice Edwards Report
3. Driving Forces (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
4. Driving Forward, (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
5. Keatsdale Report (The DoT and NSW WorkCover Authority),
6. Dalziel Reports (Sydney University) and
7. Alan Cook reports and
8. Roy Morgan Report re ATIS conducted by Ann Matheson.
The NSW Ombudsman said, “the Department of transport is CAPTURED by the NSW Taxi council”. The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) said, “the NSW Department of Transport is EVASIVE, NOT FORTHCOMING”. The taxi drivers believe that the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd and Cabcharge Pty Ltd control the NSW Department of Transport!
The NSW Passenger Transport Act and Regulations allow the NSW Taxi Council Pty Ltd, Cabcharge Pty Ltd, taxi companies and taxi networks to get away with murder! The long awaited proposed Transport Regulations also continues the stinky tradition!
In support of my claims I would like to add the following for the time being:
A. The taxi companies basically inspect their own taxis under the guise of Authorised Taxi Inspections Schemes (ATIS). Unlike any moving vessels like trains, planes, ships or any other plant and equipment, a taxi cab operator is not obliged under the law to go through a ‘Check List’ prior to the commencement of a shift or at any time! This is a deliberate ploy to remove or at least reduce the quality control and quality assurance of NSW taxicabs detrimental to taxi drivers’ and passengers’ interest.
B. Taxi companies and radio networks are not answerable to the NSW Department of Transport and any ‘failure to comply’ does not attract any penalties whatsoever! That’s why they are deliberately running down their taxi radio networks contrary to the interest of the travelling public and taxi drivers. Because the radio networks make more money if less drivers and passengers use their system due to the guaranteed income protection mechanism built in to the NSW Passenger Transport Acts and Regulations.
C. Despite many valid requests, the taxi companies are not obliged to provide a safe workplace under the ‘Duty of Care’ provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Acts! That’s why, taxi companies collected a lot of money from taxi drivers and passengers under the guise of taxi driver safety earlier and then virtually they gave us nothing!
According to a few media reports, it appears, your department is using the Bulldog Scandal graduate Mr. Dave Madden and his ‘out of touch’ and elite report to incite racism and prejudice against taxi drivers similar to Dr. Mohamed Haneef scandal as confirmed by former Prime Minster Paul Keating.
The communication of 1995 and reply thereby do not support to day’s racist outburst. On that time, “The number of taxi drivers suffering from communication problems (e.g. English)” was less than 8% and the department told us, “things are improving”. So, what is the real story? Where is the truth? Who have been issuing taxi drivers authority to people with no communication skills and why?
One must wonder why the hell your proposed regulatory changes are providing the ‘taxi mafia’ a licence to murder anyone without any constraint whatsoever and crucifies taxi drivers all the time without any good reason?
Sincerely Yours
Faruque Ahmed, Adelaide Indy Media
Level 30
Governor Macquarie Tower
Sydney NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9228 4866Facsimile: (02) 9228 4855
CC to all Members of Parliament and media.
Re: Taxi Drivers Safety
Dear Mr. Watkins,
The attached Media Releases and article ‘Robert Woodger’ clearly demonstrate the deliberate negligence of the NSW Labor Government regarding the taxi drivers’ safety.
It also appears A Mr. Michael Jools is complaisant to kill the draft and final Cook Reports under the guise of ‘confidentiality agreement’ initiated by your government. It also appears you people are loath to consult with the workers in the first place as it is the case in this matter.
One must wonder, what kind of government would play cruel jokes with the taxi drivers’ safety as your government has done over the last 11 years?
I would like to have a proper response about taxi drivers safety issues ASAP.
With thanks
Sincerely Yours
Faruque Ahmed
MEDIA RELEASE
Re: Taxi Drivers Safety
Dear Mr. Watkins,
The attached Media Releases and article ‘Robert Woodger’ clearly demonstrate the deliberate negligence of the NSW Labor Government regarding the taxi drivers’ safety.
It also appears A Mr. Michael Jools is complaisant to kill the draft and final Cook Reports under the guise of ‘confidentiality agreement’ initiated by your government. It also appears you people are loath to consult with the workers in the first place as it is the case in this matter.
One must wonder, what kind of government would play cruel jokes with the taxi drivers’ safety as your government has done over the last 11 years?
I would like to have a proper response about taxi drivers safety issues ASAP.
With thanks
Sincerely Yours
Faruque Ahmed
MEDIA RELEASE
We the NSW Taxi Drivers Association express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the tragic loss of our colleague Robert Woodger, which might have been avoided. We renew our pledge to ensure that Robert's death won't be in vain.
A few brave drivers initiated the long overdue taxi drivers' safety issue. Since then a few items like cameras, Global Positioning System and the hopeless safety screens found their way to the industry. The public and the drivers paid enough money to fund such programmes through $1.00 flag fall rise and the resultant 80/20 split ($16.00 + $24.00 = $40.00 per day). The taxi companies took the money and played a sick joke with our safety. The NSW Labour Party led government ignored the good works of the following reports:
1. Driving Forces (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
2. Driving Forward, (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
3. Keatsdale Report (The DoT and NSW WorkCover Authority),
4. Dalziel Report (Sydney University) and
5. Alan Cook reports.
1. Driving Forces (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
2. Driving Forward, (Minister for Industrial Relations and the Attorney General),
3. Keatsdale Report (The DoT and NSW WorkCover Authority),
4. Dalziel Report (Sydney University) and
5. Alan Cook reports.
Our predecessor, the NSW CWA in their Media Release warned the government in advance. Yet three years later, the current `elite' David Madden report of 2006 following the Youbert Hormozi murder is gathering dust on the Ministerial shelf. The culture of neglect, profit and arrogance has overtaken public and drivers safety. The long overdue and repeatedly requested legislative framework to ensure the proper adherence and enforcement of the Duty of Care legislations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act remained elusive as ever! The cry for a public education campaign has fallen on deaf ears too.
We appeal for an open and fair debate and discussion regarding taxi drivers' safety to save lives like Robert Woodger.
New South Wales Taxi Drivers Association
Mobile: 041 091 4118, Thursday, 28 June 2007
Mobile: 041 091 4118, Thursday, 28 June 2007
NSW Cabbie Welfare Association Inc. Inc No 9875412PO Box 349 Alexandria 2015
Mobile – 04 109 14118
5/12/2004
We welcome the general thrust of the recently released Cook Report. We also welcome Minister Costa's expressed desire to consult with the service providers rather than usual "suspects" who are in so many ways responsible for the mess in the taxi industry.
However, the association cannot ignore the manoeuvrings behind the scene to predetermine the outcome of the final report. Specifically, the control mechanism adopted by the same bureaucrats who by their own actions and omissions allowed the lawlessness and reduction of service quality as well as compromised accountability and lack of transparency in the taxi industry. The Taxi Task Force must be free and unencumbered in its reform agenda.
For the greater good of the industry and community, the Association has decided to merge with the NSW Taxi Drivers Association. We hope the virtually member-less Transport Workers Union will do the same instead of acting against the wishes and interest of taxi drivers. Our extensive membership has voted to move over to the NSW TDA and as activists we shall be working towards the total coverage of taxi drivers by that Association.We will go forward under the Yellow Ribbons of Taxi Unity.
President
NSW Cabbie Welfare Association Inc.
The shameless, greedy and opportunist Michael Jools is not only a professional looser; he is also a serial bankrupt. Late last year, he had almost bankrupted the poor NSW Taxi Drivers Association. He did so by withdrawing money from the NSW TDA savings funds without any approval of the committee and many of those spending lacks proper explanation. I have recommended a Fraud Squad Investigation to deal with the matter.
However, Jools has not forgotten the smell of the cash. He found out, even after his cruel misappropriation of the TDA funds, the association got some money. So, he dared to propose five amendments to alter the NSW TDA constitution as mentioned in the “House of Australian Vagabond Dictators“ below. In doing so, he and couple of his cult followers will grab the key and eat out poor NSW TDA money. One must wonder what kind of greedy control-freak would propose such amendments and what kinds of cult followers would accept them anyway!
Not only this, it also appears, Jools mislead everyone in the church during the funeral of Robert Woodger, in front of God and dead body of Robert as he is a party to kill the Cook Reports with the Department of Transport and thereby taxi drivers safety in general.
Considering the greedy nature of these creatures, I hereby propose, greedy Jools and Bradley should be expelled from the NSW TDA because of their converse conduct and disruptive behavior as well as the Ministry of Transport should be haunted for their share of crime too.
House of Australian Vagabond Dictators
That's how democracy looks like! Please join the House of dictators and throw your loose change to them. P.S. Italic added.
5.11 Removal of an Officer or Serving Member of the Committee.
A meeting of the Committee may suspend or remove by passing a resolution any person on the Committee other than a Founding Member (do you mean those sacred cows!) from their position before the expiration of the person's term of office where the person concerned has shown a gross dereliction of duty and has acted persistently in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the Association.
4.2 The Committee will consist of the foundation members (holy Brahmins) and those and or other nominated and or appointed members will constitute the listed office bearers.
3.10 Foundation Members The Foundation Members of the Association are David Bradley, Mohammed Hadid, Michael Jools, Ross Nelson and Michelle Strathmore (Is it because many of them are serial bankrupts, professional cheats and shameless enough to use taxi drivers for their narrow personal gains?). The Foundation Members may by, simple majority vote, elect replacement or additional members from time to time as may be necessary to retain five active members.
20 Alteration of the Constitution This constitution and rules hereunder shall be altered, rescinded or added to by only a special resolution passed by the committee of founding members (Do you mean gang of five dictators?) in full session.[ Note the application of 15.2]
The sanctified source and Sydney Taxi Corruption, Sydney Indy Media,
Submission Re: Matter No - 3 of 2005Australian Competition Tribunal
The sanctified source and Sydney Taxi Corruption, Sydney Indy Media,
Submission Re: Matter No - 3 of 2005Australian Competition Tribunal
I have made the submission below earlier and recognised by hishonour. I would like to make a few more points due to some structuraland circumstantial changes in the taxi industry. For the sake ofaccountability and transparency, I also would like to declare that Iam an elected member of the NSW Taxi Drivers Association's executivecommittee.
The Submission:Taxi co-operatives (not taxi companies or networks) obtained "theauthorisation in contention" by not telling the truth, twisting thetruth and using racism as well as some other false claims they madeto misguide the then Trade Practices Commission. Ultimately, theoriginal applicants, specifically the Red and Yellow Deluxe have usedmany false claims "for their own narrow benefit" and got away withthem. Fortunately most of their typical false claims and lies weredetected and eventually correctly rejected by the TPC in matterA30152.
The Australian Competition Commission should have continued theirstand and withdraw the authorisation! Yet, reason not known to us;they have not done so. As a result we are in front of this Tribunalright now.
Some privately owned entities of the taxi industry argued, "taxidrivers' do not have any right to represent themselves in thistribunal or any where else". A claim of such a nature ought to besurprising, harsh and unjust as some "mysterious identities" can'tand must not be representing taxi drivers! To his wisdom, JusticeGoldberg accepted Mr. Michael Jools, President of the NSW TaxiDrivers Association as a party and asked me to contribute in thematter. After a long and costly journey, the private entities of taxiindustry have decided not to contest us in this matter. I thoughtthis is a signal of accepting the defeat because they do not have anyvalid response to our long and valued submissions.
However, The Australian Competition Commission has now decided tospend tax-payers' fund to defend the indefensible, e.g. defending theprivately owned Cabcharge Limited's interest in this tribunal isbeyond my comprehension.
Part of my earlier submission:
I the undersigned, Faruque Ahmed, have been advocating bailee taxidrivers' rights and interests in the state and federalinstrumentalities, Parliaments, media, before the AustralianCompetition and Consumer Commission and formerly the Trade PracticesCommission as:
1. Secretary/Treasurer and President of Taxi Drivers' Section of theNSW Transport Workers Union, respectively,
2. Vice-President and President of Taxi Industry ServicesAssociation, respectively and
3. President, NSW Cabbie Welfare Association.
I am also a working bailee taxi driver. Any decision made by the ACCC and this Court regarding the Cabcharge Taxi Authorisation directly affects me as:
1. I am currently compelled to work for Cabcharge Limited for 30minutes per shift free of charge,
2. I am compelled to bear the burden of any dockets voided byCabcharge for reasons beyond my control or ability, thus eroding myindustrial rights,
3. I am compelled to bear the burden of traffic fines that incurredwhilst processing Cabcharge dockets and credit cards,
4. I am compelled to provide my private details to a company withwhom I have no contractual relations, and
5. Because of my free labour and miseries mentioned in "1" to "4"above the Cabcharge is making huge amount of money and buying upvarious taxi industry instrumentalities and thereby reducing andeventually destroying competition in the taxi industry,
6. The State and Federal Government provided unfair advantage toCabcharge are effectively restricting any new comers to open up anynew ventures in the taxi industry,
7. I have made Submissions on this particular matter to the ACCC.
8. I have had several conferences with officers of the ACCC, at theirrequest, on this particular matter.
1. Secretary/Treasurer and President of Taxi Drivers' Section of theNSW Transport Workers Union, respectively,
2. Vice-President and President of Taxi Industry ServicesAssociation, respectively and
3. President, NSW Cabbie Welfare Association.
I am also a working bailee taxi driver. Any decision made by the ACCC and this Court regarding the Cabcharge Taxi Authorisation directly affects me as:
1. I am currently compelled to work for Cabcharge Limited for 30minutes per shift free of charge,
2. I am compelled to bear the burden of any dockets voided byCabcharge for reasons beyond my control or ability, thus eroding myindustrial rights,
3. I am compelled to bear the burden of traffic fines that incurredwhilst processing Cabcharge dockets and credit cards,
4. I am compelled to provide my private details to a company withwhom I have no contractual relations, and
5. Because of my free labour and miseries mentioned in "1" to "4"above the Cabcharge is making huge amount of money and buying upvarious taxi industry instrumentalities and thereby reducing andeventually destroying competition in the taxi industry,
6. The State and Federal Government provided unfair advantage toCabcharge are effectively restricting any new comers to open up anynew ventures in the taxi industry,
7. I have made Submissions on this particular matter to the ACCC.
8. I have had several conferences with officers of the ACCC, at theirrequest, on this particular matter.
Mobile: 0421 875 995
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