Finally, Uber legalised in Victoria

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By Leith van Onselen

Finally, the Victorian Labor Government has legalised Uber-X’s ridesharing service, although passengers will be slugged $2 per trip to help fund a taxi industry assistance package. From The ABC:

The Government will establish a single registration system for taxis, hire cars and ride-share services.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the State Government would do away with taxi licences and provide $378 million to help existing licence holders transition to the new laws.

It is also setting up a $75 million “Fairness Fund” to those experiencing immediate financial hardship, with $25 million going to improve access for people with a disability.

Passengers will be hit with a $2 per trip levy to fund the changes, which will apply for at least eight years.

About time, given Uber was already operating freely in Victoria anyway.

Now the Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in Australia where Uber is banned outright, with all other jurisdictions either already permitting ridesharing services, or in the process of permitting ridesharing.

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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.