The Queensland (Australia) taxi industry’s peak body says state MPs of all political persuasions can expect more vocal protests by incensed taxi drivers, owners and operators until there is a level playing field within the personalised transport sector in Queensland.

State opposition leader Tim Nicholls has been left in no doubt about just how upset the industry is over the special treatment being given to rideshare operators following the release of draft legislation. While in Cairns on the LNP’s ‘listening tour’ around Queensland, Mr Nicholls was confronted by a local taxi driver who gate crashed a press conference to tell the opposition leader exactly what effects the proposed legislation will have on the taxi industry.

The driver told Mr Nicholls directly that by allowing ridesharing to operate in Queensland under different rules to taxis, his income will be slashed, destroying his livelihood. Taxi Council Queensland chief executive officer Benjamin Wash says while he wants people to deal respectfully with all MPs, he does understand the driver’s frustration. “The draft legislation favours rideshare companies who operated with contempt for the law before the regulations were changed. It’s a bad attempt to fix a problem that was caused by the government in the first place.”

Mr Wash says rideshare operators are being allowed to avoid paying taxes and bypass regulatory requirements that the taxi industry must adhere to. “This will continue to infuriate all within the taxi industry until the right legislation is passed.”

• Taxi drivers in Queensland remain infuriated about the easy ride TNC’s are getting.