SA: Liberals reveal taxi industry security policy

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2006
SA: Liberals reveal taxi industry security policy

ADELAIDE, Aug 27 AAP - South Australia's Liberal opposition has unveiled its taxi industry
security policy, following a series of alleged assaults on passengers by drivers in recent
months.

Opposition transport spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith called for upgraded security cameras
and global positioning technology in cabs, as well as improved training for drivers.

"The training should be redesigned with a focus to be put on language prerequisites
and cultural awareness training for drivers so as to ensure they fully understand Australian
standards of behaviour and Australian laws," he said.

He said cameras currently used in cabs retained images for only up to four hours, which
was "vastly inferior to the systems being fitted on buses at government expense".

Mr Hamilton-Smith also said a Liberal government would increase the number of government
taxi inspectors on the road, including inspections out of normal business hours.

Currently, only four government inspectors operate mostly in business hours, he said.

"The confidence of the travelling public has been shaken by events of the last two
months and, unless the problem is faced head-on, further damage to the reputation of a
good industry comprised of many hard working cab drivers will be at risk," he said.

Mr Hamilton-Smith said there were a number of choices for funding the improvements:
either through a levy on fares, a state government contribution, federal funding under
counter-terrorism provisions, or money from the cab companies.

As part of its response to the recent incidents in cabs, the Labor government has introduced
a personal identification number for drivers, which will be in place by October.

AAP njl/srp/sd

KEYWORD: TAXI

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