2015/22: Should Uber be made legal throughout Australia?





Introduction to the media issue

Video clip at right:
On September 30, 2015, 7 News ran a report on Uber being legalised in the Australian Capital Territory.
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What they said...
'Consumers have moved with technology. It's time for industry and government to move in the same way'
New South Wales Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance, commenting after his state legalised the operation of UberX

'Cashed-up companies like Uber use warm and fuzzy words but in reality they are about one thing - making money by exploiting...drivers, exposing the public to risks and lying about their operations'
The Taxi Council of Queensland chief executive, Benjamin Wash

The issue at a glance
In December, 2015, Uber's ridesharing service, UberX, was declared legal in New South Wales and Western Australia.
In October, 2015, Uber's service was legalised in the Australian Capital Territory.
The advantages and disadvantages of Uber operating within Australia have been vigorously debated since Uber first arrived in this country. The company has generally met with support from commuter advocates. The Australian Taxi Association has consistently opposed the legalisation of Uber services and highlighted that Uber's operations are currently outside the law in most Australian states.
Whether Uber's operations should be legalised in other states is still being investigated and debated.
Given the phenomenal growth capacity Uber has demonstrated in overseas jurisdictions, some commentators have claimed that the legal status of Uber needs to be formalised sooner rather than later and that customer and driver safeguards should be put in place as deemed necessary.