Taxi Industry Inquiry
Taxis and trams in Melbourne
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| Inquiries | Fels Inquiry |
|---|---|
| Commissioner | Allan Fels AO |
| Inquiry period | 28 March 2011 – |
The Taxi Industry Inquiry or the Fels Inquiry was an inquiry into the taxi industry and taxi services in the State of Victoria, Australia, conducted by the Taxi Services Commission. The Inquiry was headed by Professor Allan Fels, the former head of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. Professor Fels was assisted by Dr David Cousins.
The Inquiry was announced on 28 March 2011 by the Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu. Baillieu said the Fels Inquiry’s key tasks would include improving disastrously low levels of public confidence, providing better security and support services for drivers and safety for customers, and ensuring drivers were properly trained and knowledgeable.
The state of the taxi industry has deteriorated under the former Labor Government, failing both passengers and the industry. It is a troubled industry that needs significant reform to drive improvements in service.
According to Bailleu, the key problems with the Victorian taxi industry were:
Baillieu announced that Professor Fels would investigate every aspect of the current industry.
It is obvious that the current industry structure and regulation has failed. It has entrenched a lack of accountability for on-the-ground taxi services by the major industry participants. These issues are long-standing and deep-rooted and the Coalition Government has a responsibility to improve the level of service to customers who utilise the taxi industry.
The Premier indicated that reforming the Victorian taxi industry would occur in two stages. In the first stage, the Fels Inquiry completed a comprehensive inquiry into the service, safety and competition issues in the Victorian taxi industry. In the second stage, a Taxi Services Commission will take over the role of industry regulator, giving it the powers and tools necessary to reform the taxi industry. The Taxi Services Commission will be established as a statutory authority.
The Premier indicated that the current taxi industry regulator, the Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD), will operate as normal until the Commission is established. During the second stage staff and resources from the VTD will move to the new body as it assumes the ongoing role of regulator.
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