Transport Matters Party

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Transport Matters Party
FoundersRod Barton
André Baruch
Founded9 January 2018
Registered30 April 2018
Dissolved28 July 2023
IdeologyTaxi industry advocacy
Ban on Uber
Environmentalism[1]
Colours  Orange
Victorian Legislative Council
1 / 40
(2018−2022)
Website
www.transportmatters.org.au

The Transport Matters Party was an Australian political party active in Victoria.[2] The party was registered with the Victorian Electoral Commission on 30 April 2018, after an application was received by the VEC on 9 January 2018.[3]

Co-founder Rod Barton announced on 23 June 2023 that the party would disband after an unsuccessful membership drive. It was formally dissolved on 28 July 2023.[4]

History

The party was co-founded by Rod Barton and André Baruch, both hire car operators.[5]

Most of the party's members are taxi drivers or taxi licence owners involved in a

illegal taxicab operation.[6][7]
Uber was legalised in Victoria in August 2017 following the deregulation of the taxi/ride-share industry in the state.

In May 2019, more than 6,000 taxi and car-hire drivers, operators and licence owners across four states commenced the class action in the Victorian Supreme Court.[8]

Transport Matters was registered federally on 24 March 2020.[9] However, the party was voluntarily de-registered federally on 16 December 2021, having never competed at a federal election.[10]

Policies

The party described itself as possessing a centre-left policy agenda; in addition to the party's core focus on transport, it also championed environmental issues and small business interests.[11] The party advocated for major transport projects including the East West Link, then North East Link, the West Gate Tunnel, the Suburban Rail Loop and a fully publicly-owned Melbourne Airport rail line.[11][12][13]

The party's policy priorities included:

  • Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry
  • Addressing Homelessness
  • Free Tram Zone
  • Regional Bus Services
  • Improving the Transport and Infrastructure Network
  • Public Transport

Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry

  • Opposed to the
    taxicab
    and hire car industry in Victoria.
  • That perpetual taxi and hire car licence holders in Victoria are fully compensated for the compulsory acquisition of their property (licences).
  • That Uber entered the Victorian industry illegally in 2017.
  • Improve driver income.
  • Introduce environmentally sustainable vehicle fleet.
  • Minimum ANCAP 5 Star safety rating for commercial passenger vehicles (CPVs).
  • Compulsory road worthy certificate required with license renewal.
  • Proof of insurance.
  • Identification on vehicle that you are a Commercial Passenger Vehicle.
  • That CPVs should be exempt from tolls.

Homelessness

  • The party supports housing first as 'it is important that every Australian has access to safe, stable and affordable housing."[14]
  • Additional crisis and transitional housing.
  • Additional resources including housing, social works and mental health workers.
  • Early intervention through the provision of additional wrap around services at the crisis and transitional housing stage.
  • Need for additional mental health nurses and psychologists.

Public Transport

  • Public transport should be free for all passengers under the age of 18 or over the age of 65.
  • Should be free for full-time students.
  • Should be reduced for post-graduate students.
  • Victoria's Free Tram Zone should be extended to include major inner-city hospitals and academic precincts.
  • Provision of safe bike storage at every bus, train and tram stop.
  • Real time GPS information at every tram, train and bus stop.
  • A full review of the bus services in the outer suburbs should be conducted to improve the network.

Bicycle Infrastructure

  • The party supports the 'One Meter apart' policy to protect cyclists from traffic.
  • Community consultation for the implementation of bike lanes.
  • Inclusion of mountain bike trails and bike parks in local council areas.
  • Educating young Australians on bike safety.
  • Supports the implementation of legislation to protect pedestrians injured by cyclists.

Other Areas

  • Improving rural and regional towns ability to connect by looking into alternative bus network and public transport options.
  • Removing toll roads and making them publicly owned.
  • Increasing transparency between government departments and the public to improve outcomes.
  • Improving Australia's take up of electric and hydrogen vehicles and power.

Electoral history

At the

Eastern Metropolitan Region.[15]
Ultimately, the party polled 0.62% of the vote and Barton was elected to the Legislative Council for a four-year term.

Victorian Legislative Council

Year No of votes % of vote Seats won +/– Notes
2018 22,051 0.62 (#17)
1 / 40
 Increase 1 Shared balance of power
2022 10,605 0.28 (#21)
0 / 40
 Decrease 1

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ "Environment Policy". Transport Matters Party. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Currently registered parties". Victorian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  3. ^ Baruch, Andre (2 August 2017). "Transport Matters Party - new entrant into the political landscape in Victoria". Australia Wide Chauffeur Cars. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Movie could be made about 'preference whisperer' Glenn Druery". 6 News Australia.
  5. ^ "Transport Matters Party to contest state poll". Surf Coast Times. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  6. ^ Jacks, Timna (12 May 2018). "'Melbourne grinding to a halt': New political party for transport". The Age. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Victorian taxi, hire drivers to sue Uber for 'hundreds of millions' in lost earnings". The New Daily. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  8. ^ Uber 'came to our shores, illegally, like pirates', class action lead plaintiff says
  9. ^ "Registration of a political party Transport Matters Party" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Transport Matters Party Voluntary Deregistration" (PDF). Australian Electoral Commission.
  11. ^ a b Jacks, Timna. "'Melbourne grinding to a halt': New political party for transport". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  12. ^ Carey, Adam. "Party in the upper house: Who's who on new Victorian crossbench". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Suburban Rail Loop". Transport Matters Party. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Homelessness". Transport Matters Party. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  15. ^ Analyst, Antony Green-ABC Election (16 November 2018). "How to Vote for the Victorian Legislative Council". ABC News. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
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