To all taxi plate owners in Tasmania, democracy is not just a word; it’s a right we must fight for. The Tasmanian election outcome in 2024 and the Liberal government’s lack of support for hardworking taxi owners across the state is a betrayal of everything we have worked for, everything we believed in, and everything we voted for. But as your President representing plate owners, I say to you now – we will not let this stand. The spirit of Australia’s resolve to challenge injustice burns within us, stronger than ever.
To the 194 plate owners holding 428 perpetual taxi licenses – to the retirees who have poured over 20 years of blood, sweat, and tears into this investment – we know you’ve been dealt an unfair hand. You’ve done nothing wrong, yet the government’s manipulations have taken away what you built with so much dedication. This isn’t just a loss; it’s an injustice, and we won’t rest until it’s righted.
The Liberal Party may have held onto the most seats this election, but they’ve already felt the weight of a 12% swing against them since 2021. And let me tell you, that’s only the beginning. Together, we’ll make sure they feel our presence in every election from now on. They cannot ignore us forever.
Tasmanian perpetual taxi licence holders want taxi buyback by government
Hard working Australians who purchased perpetual taxi plate licences in Tasmania as part of their superannuation and retirement are financially destroyed and emotionally suffering due to the ill advised decisions made by the Tasmanian State Government and to make it worse, to date have continued to fail on the delivery of any financial package to cover FINANCIAL TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE for loss in asset value of Tasmanian perpetual taxi plate licenses. The government has repeatedly said no to compensation, so now we are asking for a buyback by the Government.
Tasmanian Taxi Industry in 2024 Financial Crisis
There is no outcome to perpetual taxi licence owners in the midst of this plight for self funded retirees who have virtually lost most of their income from taxi leases. It is no exaggeration to state that taxi plate licence holders/owners with these crippling loses have had their life savings stolen by the Tasmanian State Government.
Where is the justice in all this?
Many of our Tasmanian taxi licensees have been under tremendous pressure due to this onslaught of an unequal level playing field competition from app-dispatched services. These app dispatched services are not carrying the same costs nor are being forced to pay the same fees. The State Government needs to correct its moral compass. Minister Ferguson has no idea of what a level playing field is….. Just look at the statistics and disparate insurance premiums!
Taxi Industry Market Manipulation.
The Tasmanian Taxi Industry has been placed in a commercial disadvantage, specifically through the inequity in CTP insurance, comprehensive insurance and very low taxi operator lease licensing fees.
All The Ministers Need to know the facts
Not a Level Playing Field for Tasmanian Taxi Industry.
There are approximately 428 perpetual taxi licences in Tasmania held by 194 owners. Many self funded retirees who have invested 20+ years of blood, sweat and tears of hard work in investing in this perpetual taxi plate asset has gone down the drain through no fault of their own, but by the manipulation of government.
Any call for Tasmanian Government to implement taxi licence buy-back scheme must be in the form of fair and equitable transitional assitance for perpetual taxi plate owners.
Failure by Tasmanian Liberal Government to look after Australian mum and dad investors
Taxi leases CRASHED to $3,600 for Tasmanian taxi owners since 2020 and plate values have spiralled downwards at no fault of their own. Many have invested as part of their self managed super funds.
Elderly Individuals have bought taxi plate licences have had their superannuation investments and their entire livelihoods stolen by the Liberal Tasmanian Government.