Who We Are
The Limousine Action Group (Queensland) is fighting for fairness under the Queensland Government's ride-booking laws that legalise Uber, Lyft and other services.
We represent the interests of limousine licence owners, owner-operators and operators. Further to this, we are holistic to the limousine industry and seek to reflect the wider interests of the entire industry, not just those who we directly represent.
We are not against ride-booking services. In fact, we are all for innovation and competition - just not when innovation becomes deregulation at the expense of hardworking taxpaying Queenslanders.
Unfortunately, our stereotype is not kind to us: people think that we are rich, conceited and posh. In reality, we are just like you. We come from all walks of life and share the same financial struggles as other small business owners. Some of us have families, are self-funded retirees, are operating our own business, and provide job opportunities within the community.
We represent the interests of limousine licence owners, owner-operators and operators. Further to this, we are holistic to the limousine industry and seek to reflect the wider interests of the entire industry, not just those who we directly represent.
We are not against ride-booking services. In fact, we are all for innovation and competition - just not when innovation becomes deregulation at the expense of hardworking taxpaying Queenslanders.
Unfortunately, our stereotype is not kind to us: people think that we are rich, conceited and posh. In reality, we are just like you. We come from all walks of life and share the same financial struggles as other small business owners. Some of us have families, are self-funded retirees, are operating our own business, and provide job opportunities within the community.
Our Message
Stage one of the ride-booking laws was proposed by Stirling Hinchliffe (now resigned Transport Minister) has commenced. Ride-booking services can now legally operate in the market. Although we are already impacted by these changes, the commencement of Stage two is where it will hurt us the most and we object to its implementation as it stands.
We hold a number of concerns with these changes, the way they were announced without industry consultation or recommendations of the Varghese White Paper, and the immediate ramifications felt and burden experienced. Cause and effect must be considered before deregulation is enshrined in law. However, it seems limousine licence owners have not been considered and are in some cases left out of the conversation altogether.
Limousines will bear the cost of ride-booking’s illegal entry to the market. As a result of this, we are fighting hard for fair value compensation for our licences. This is reasonable, as we have always operated under stringent regulatory requirements of the Queensland Government for many years.
Currently, some limousine licence owners have received $10,000 per licence. This is not compensation: it is ‘assistance’ to transition into a market where our licences no longer have sale value. The government sold these licences initially, and they have been sold for up to $150,000 , and as a result, the proposed ‘assistance’ doesn’t cut it. We need fair value compensation.
We hold a number of concerns with these changes, the way they were announced without industry consultation or recommendations of the Varghese White Paper, and the immediate ramifications felt and burden experienced. Cause and effect must be considered before deregulation is enshrined in law. However, it seems limousine licence owners have not been considered and are in some cases left out of the conversation altogether.
Limousines will bear the cost of ride-booking’s illegal entry to the market. As a result of this, we are fighting hard for fair value compensation for our licences. This is reasonable, as we have always operated under stringent regulatory requirements of the Queensland Government for many years.
Currently, some limousine licence owners have received $10,000 per licence. This is not compensation: it is ‘assistance’ to transition into a market where our licences no longer have sale value. The government sold these licences initially, and they have been sold for up to $150,000 , and as a result, the proposed ‘assistance’ doesn’t cut it. We need fair value compensation.
Why We Formed
We formed because our interests have not been adequately represented in industry conversations. We have mobilised as a result of the concerning process taken by the government and the assistance package on offer to limousine licence holders.
The limousine industry is expected to ease the burden of ride-booking’s illegal entry into the market. What is particularly concerning (and to some, insulting), is that the Queensland Government expects the limousine industry to accept - and perhaps even be grateful for - the assistance package as a way to embrace new opportunity.
There was poor or non-existent communication about legislative changes to our industry. The government did not write to us about their plans to implement changes. We were also not notified about the Transport and Utilities Committee on the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and the ability to write a submission.
We must also note that the turnaround timeframe on policy creation was remarkably short. This either suggests poorly planned and rushed deregulation, or world record speed in reviewing and/or developing reports, Green Papers, White Papers and all other documentation, policy outlines and websites. Further, the proposed legislative changes appear to be identical or strikingly similar to the New South Wales’ changes.
Concerns about the existing assistance package are:
The inequity of the $10,000 offered.
A member who holds a Whole of Queensland licence will receive the same amount as a member who holds a Regional licence (Capricorn, North Queensland and Far North Queensland) or a Rest of Queensland licence.
The limousine service licence offers no value.
The ability to list the licence as an asset of worth no longer exists. Banks have stopped lending against the licence.
There is no compensation.
The Queensland Government sold limousine licences to the market and then deregulated the industry; making those same licences hold little or no value. Despite this, the government has not offered compensation to licence holders.
You can contact us for more information or register as a member.
The limousine industry is expected to ease the burden of ride-booking’s illegal entry into the market. What is particularly concerning (and to some, insulting), is that the Queensland Government expects the limousine industry to accept - and perhaps even be grateful for - the assistance package as a way to embrace new opportunity.
There was poor or non-existent communication about legislative changes to our industry. The government did not write to us about their plans to implement changes. We were also not notified about the Transport and Utilities Committee on the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and the ability to write a submission.
We must also note that the turnaround timeframe on policy creation was remarkably short. This either suggests poorly planned and rushed deregulation, or world record speed in reviewing and/or developing reports, Green Papers, White Papers and all other documentation, policy outlines and websites. Further, the proposed legislative changes appear to be identical or strikingly similar to the New South Wales’ changes.
Concerns about the existing assistance package are:
The inequity of the $10,000 offered.
A member who holds a Whole of Queensland licence will receive the same amount as a member who holds a Regional licence (Capricorn, North Queensland and Far North Queensland) or a Rest of Queensland licence.
The limousine service licence offers no value.
The ability to list the licence as an asset of worth no longer exists. Banks have stopped lending against the licence.
There is no compensation.
The Queensland Government sold limousine licences to the market and then deregulated the industry; making those same licences hold little or no value. Despite this, the government has not offered compensation to licence holders.
You can contact us for more information or register as a member.