Government has found that a recent conclusion arrived in the case of Uber driver Nathan Brenner winning an appeal against the $900 fine for driving without accreditation, was a result of shortcomings in a section of the Transport Act.
After the court decision effectively legalised the ride sharing service Uber in Victoria, government now plans to repeal this section of the act which was found to be redundant.
Legislation will be introduced urgently in the Victorian Parliament this week to boost the powers of the Taxi Services Commissioner which will allow Taxi Services Commission to enforce regulations on the taxi and hire car industry as a whole.
This will allow the regulator to prevent drivers convicted of serious criminal offences, including sexual offences, from driving a taxi or hire car.
Ms Allan also said they were getting closer to making a decision about whether or not Uber would be legalised in Victoria.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan told 774 ABC Melbourne, "It is to ensure that people we don't want driving taxis, people with criminal convictions, people with convictions of sexual assault ... can't get behind the wheel of a taxi and the taxi services commissioner can enforce those powers," she said.
Ms Allan also said they were getting closer to making a decision about whether or not Uber would be legalised in Victoria.
"It's close. We have more work to do. We want to get it right. We have to protect people getting in a vehicle with someone else and being driven around town. We have to make sure that there are the safety regulations in place to address any issues."
