English test no longer required for taxi drivers
Taxi drivers in Queensland will no longer have to pass an English language test to be allowed to work, after the requirement was scrapped by the state government.
Geographical knowledge training has also been removed under an overhaul of the sector following the rise of ride-share company Uber, The Courier-Mail reported.
The removal of the regulations has been met with a new plan to introduce mandatory sexual harassment training for both taxi and ride-share drivers.
Transport Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe is reportedly considering the proposal.
Under the previous rules, drivers had to pass an English test and undergo local geography training to be allowed to drive in a “major taxi area”.
The changes have already copped criticism.
Gold Coast Bulletin editor Catherine Webber told Sunrise that English “absolutely has to be mandatory”.
“The government is arguing that it’s not their role to ensure this,” she said.
“This is a fundamental basic so that when tourists arrive they can actually rely on getting into a taxi and converse with the speaker.”
Top news stories - October 11
