Transport Alliance Australia representatives were at this week’s CPVV COVID-19 update meeting. The message they are hearing from the regulator is that:

1. CPVV is right on top of the fraud that is occurring within the MPTP system, and some people are even saying that the MPTP system has changed – no it hasn’t altered one little bit, and if you’re doing the wrong thing, it will catch you.
2. MPTP trips are still way down compared to last year – 62% down.
3. It was unable to provide any statistics on regular Booked and Unbooked Trips.
4. There has been an influx in manufacturing and supplying of safety screens. CPVV is not regulating these; it have no jurisdiction over them. But you, drivers and owners, have a responsibility and duty of care to ensure that the screen is both safe to drivers and passengers and that it can be easily and fully cleaned.​

WAV drivers are not patient transport or public health professionals and will require instruction in correctly wearing, removing and disposing of PPE as well as cleaning techniques and waste management.

Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria has distributed a document advising of the rules and regulations of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles that are transporting COVID-19 positive passengers.

The document includes information on:-

Get To Know: Greg Kay, Head of Memberships and Partnerships, NSW Taxi Council

​"My recent involvement in the NSW Taxi Industry has been from May 2016 when I was engaged as one of 4 NSW Business Advisors (attached to the NSW Office of the Small Business Commissioner) to provide Business Advisory Services to the NSW Taxi Industry Networks in both Metropolitan and Regional areas. The areas I personally covered were from Eastern Suburbs to Strathfield in Sydney Metropolitan area and Riverina / Murray (South West) and New England / Tablelands (North West) in NSW regions."

"My previous experience in the Taxi Industry related to providing commercial business finance for clients for assistance with the purchase of NSW Taxi licences. Also as a Commercial Manager in Banking, where one of my major clients was Legion Cabs in Sydney (when they were based in Surry Hills / inner city)."

Despite less road traffic, you must remember to be careful and drive safely.

Motorists should not treat the noticeable reduction in traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions as a green light to speed, drive under the influence or flout other important road safety laws, a leading personal injuries lawyer has warned.

Canda Glanville, a Principal at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, said too many lives were still being lost on Victorian roads despite fewer people getting behind the wheel since restrictions were brought in to help slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Introducing Airtax’s 10 Minute Tax Chat 

Tax Chat is a new, free 10 minute consultation from Airtax to help you understand an assortment of tax related issues you may be facing. 

What you can ask
As part of this phone call, you'll get familiar with Airtax so you know you’re on the right track, and together you'll break down exactly what you need to do to stay up-to-date with the ATO. 

If you are an existing customer then the types of questions you might want to ask are:

• Which deductions you can and can’t claim if you’re working from home 
• The status of a lodgement (although you can send Airtax an email for a faster response often to support@airtax.com.au)