2018-11-09
By Hon. Tim Clifford, MLC for East Metropolitan
My team and I have been steadily working away at letting the public know about the advantages of electric vehicles and trying to bust some myths along the way. While much of the activity has been dedicated to a Facebook campaign; we have also had an exciting win in Parliament.
When the Transport (Road Passenger Services) Bill 2018 was introduced to the Legislative Council, I was able to negotiate a small win that lines up with a longstanding Greens WA policy regarding electric vehicles.
The legislation allows for all on demand service, taxis, ride-share companies, charter services, booking services, to be brought under one legislation. The buy back will see a 10% levy on fares raise up to $120 million over four years allowing the government to pay between $100,000 and $225,000 a plate depending on how long its owner had held it.
The reforms were overdue and while we recognised that in fact there are no real winners here because the industry had been interrupted and significantly affected by the introduction of ride sharing technology and subsequent inaction by government had left many taxi operators suffering ongoing losses; we also recognised that doing nothing was not an option. While I supported the Bill I also took the opportunity to lobby for greater recognition of the need for the government to make stronger moves toward encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles in WA. Formal amendments to the regulations were agreed to by the government which will see an electric vehicle operating in the on demand industry exempt from the levy.
I remain committed to working with his local community.
A very passionate and dedicated group of people are leading the fight to save the Kaarak roost and the Great Brixton Wetlands in Kenwick. They have been agitating government and highlighting the need to protect a stand of marri trees which are home to a number of Red Tail Forest Cockatoos.
They have experienced some success which needs to be closely monitored to ensure this government follows through. This has been another example of developers manipulating procedures to get the best chance of getting around environmental requirements. Rather than needing to assess the whole area slated for development, they have submitted a patchwork of requests for development which has masked the overall impact on this precious area.
This is a frightening situation that sadly is mirrored in the treatment of our urban forests generally, which piece by piece are being reduced as a result of development and a lack of awareness and respect for our precious places.
Header photo: Tim with the Great Brixton Wetlands campaigners helping paint banners. Grace Turco