Independent Queensland Government Taskforce

Regulating Uber, Taxis, & Limosines

The personalised transport industry is facing challenging times – technology continues to advance and enable alternative models for business and service delivery, customers are empowered by choice, business and customer relations are changing, and governments are challenged to respond to new business models.

The Queensland Government in Australia established the independent Opportunities for Personalised Transport (OPT) Review Taskforce to identify how best the government can meet public interest by identifying opportunities that enable improved access for customers and industry; lifting regulatory and commercial barriers to improve cost effectiveness for industry, customers and government, resulting in greater choice; and ensuring safety quality is upheld.

Throughout the project, they used Mindhive to engage with the expertise available, who assisted in providing feedback to the questions they posed.

They also encouraged operators, consumers and observers from other jurisdictions to enter Mindhive and engage in this open and transparent process, to ensure a workable solution was presented to government.

As part of the comprehensive review process, the OPT Review Taskforce invited submissions on various aspects of the personalised transport industry. The analysis report, available on the APO repository, detailed the implications of disruptive technologies on the transport industry, as discussed by various stakeholders. Dr. Christian Rowan MP echoed the importance of this review, stressing the need for balanced regulations that protect consumers while promoting innovation.

A compelling editorial in the Brisbane Times highlighted Uber's plans to revolutionize Brisbane's public transport system, underscoring the significance of this issue. Meanwhile, a Green Paper issued by the Taskforce provided further insight into the issues at stake.

Ultimately, the efforts of the Taskforce led to the passage of a bill that overhauled transport regulations, as reported by ZDNet. This significant change underscored the government's commitment to embracing innovation while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the public. It is a testament to the power of open dialogue, expert consultation, and well-considered legislation in the face of rapid technological change.