A further $4800 Grant for Eligible CPV Entities

A further $4800 Grant for Eligible CPV Entities impacted by COVID-19 Lockdowns = $9800

​It saddens me deeply to write again regarding the devastation our industry is experiencing because of this pandemic.

These past two lockdowns in Victoria have differed from previous restrictions and that is because this time, the commercial passenger vehicle sector has been financially supported.

We are very pleased that after initial discussions with Treasurer Tim Pallas, Minister Ben Carroll and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier MP Steve Dimopoulos, we could ensure the Victorian taxi and hire car industry was eligible for the Business Support Package. We desperately needed it.

Businesses who received the $5000 grant as part of the Business Costs Assistance Program in the last lockdown will now automatically be eligible for an additional $4800 of support for the 12-day lockdown #5.

While I have been pleased with the support provided by the government to our industry, I am concerned that a lack of regulation has meant that this support has not been distributed fairly. Taxi drivers and rideshare drivers have been put in the same category and because of this, the CPVV does not have the capacity to differentiate between those who work two days a month or those who work full-time.

This is, in part, because of the CPVV registration process, which allows drivers who have registered to stay in the system regardless of whether they are actively driving or not. It is the responsibility of the driver to deregister when they stop driving, however, this is rarely done.
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Part-time rideshare drivers who have other forms of income have also been made eligible for support grants. In my view, this undermines the effort to ensure that support goes where it is needed most. This is simply unfair.
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This is why I believe that commercial passenger vehicle licences should be granted on an annual basis. This will ensure that we have the correct information required to direct support where it is needed and deserved.

Overall, I am pleased to see the government recognising the struggles of our industry and taking action to support those who have previously fallen through the cracks. This is a significant step forward.

More news in our July 2021 Edition here.