June 2008

SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT

Our thoughts and best wishes are with Jalvinder Singh and his family following the brutal knife attack. It reinforces that we must always have in mind that the safety of all taxi drivers is paramount.

Sadly, our society is heading down a dangerous path when taxi drivers aren’t able to safely go about their work, and anyone merely walking down the street is at risk. Our society seems to be buckling under the pressure of alcohol and drug abuse, stress bought on by family, work and financial demands, changed values, affluence, racial discrimination, and many others.

Any reasonable person would support the right any person or group of persons to reasonably and peacefully demonstrate their dissatisfaction with a situation. In so saying, the rights of others must also be brought into the equation so that the nature and the duration of the demonstration is balanced and reasonable.

The demonstration staged by a group of drivers at the Swanston and Flinders Streets intersection following the attack on Jalvinder Singh attracted some support from the general community and from within the taxi industry, but on the other hand there were elements of the general community and within the taxi industry that were not supportive.

Hence, there is always a balance required between positive and negative impacts of demonstrating in a way that disrupts others, so care must always be taken not to over step the mark. Also, demonstrating cannot be seen as the only means to an end.

Apart from the actions announced by the Minister for Public Transport on 30 April (see separate article), the VTA is keen to see at least two matters pursued:
1. A more supportive and reactive relationship between Victoria Police and taxi drivers; and
2. The implementation of a large number of safe taxi ranks across Melbourne and major regional centres.

The VTA is particular supportive of safe ranks because not only are they of great benefit to taxi drivers and taxi users, they provide a focal point of safety for others in the community who at the time might be feeling unsafe and in need of support. In other words, safe taxi ranks can provide a safe haven for the community generally at times of potential threat.

The VTA believes therefore that safe taxi ranks should be funded by State and local government and by the pubs, clubs and other venues that generate anti-social behavior through alcohol and drug use and gambling.

Remember, taxis primarily exist to provide a transport service for the whole of the community – they don’t primarily exist to support the commercial activities of businesses which manufacture socially aberrant behavior by a sector of the community.

Neil Sach
VTA CEO