May 2007

VTA MEETS WITH ROB HUDSON

The VTA Executive Council has met with parliamentary secretary Rob Hudson to discuss the Government’s 2007 taxi work program as outlined in the Minister’s April Taxi Talk article.

A profile on Rob Hudson MP is contained elsewhere in this edition of Taxi Talk. Suffice to say here that Rob Hudson has a strong background in community issues and programs, justice, and the law.

It is clear that Mr Hudson has been given the responsibility of delivering on at least two of the Government’s commitments; namely, driver safety and industry accreditation. In addition, and in line with Mr Hudson’s background, the operation and future of the MPTP is high on his agenda, which dovetails well into his other interests – WATs and disability transport.

Obviously there are other key matters he will pursue, and these will surface more clearly as space appears on the whiteboard.

It is important that taxi industry people understand two important things when viewing the role of parliamentary secretary Rob Hudson.

The first is that Mr Hudson’s focus is primarily on developing and implementing the Government’s taxi policy, and putting into place the necessary legislative framework and arrangements to achieve this.

It is not the primary role of Mr Hudson to administer the processes, programs, projects and systems catered for by the legislative framework and arrangements – this is the role of the bureaucracy – particularly the DOI and the VTD.

Secondly, many taxi industry people are miffed that recent Ministers (for taxis) have not played an active and hands on role in respect to the taxi industry and have “shunted” such off to a parliamentary secretary.

Disappointing as this might be for many taxi industry people, the reality is that within the scheme of importance, accountability, risk and dollars spent, taxis don’t rate in the same category as trains, trams, buses, freeways (particularly tollways), freight, ports and channel deepening. Sure, taxis are important (particularly when criticised) but they are not the main game when it comes to ministerial time priority allocation.

Given this, Rob Hudson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, is the main person when it comes to developing and implementing the Government’s taxi policy and the legislative framework and arrangements to achieve such. Obviously, he will be supported by the Minister’s advisory team and the bureaucracy.

However, the test will be whether the Minister will support the efforts of her Parliamentary Secretary when push comes to shove around the Cabinet Table and with the hard-nosed folk within hallowed corridors of the Treasurer’s office.

The VTA wishes Rob Hudson all the best in his new role, and looks forward to working with him in an open, positive and constructive way.

Neil Sach
VTA CEO