An Uber driver has won an appeal against a $900 fine for operating without accreditation in Melbourne, in a landmark test case which effectively legalises the service in Victoria.
Uber driver Nathan Brenner was fined after he was found guilty of operating as a commercial driver without accreditation. He was ordered to pay the prosecution costs of the Victorian Taxi Commission. A County Court judge has now ruled in his favour. Overturning the fine imposed by the Melbourne Magistrates Court last December, the judge has ordered the Taxi Service Commission to pay
Overturning the fine imposed by the Melbourne Magistrates Court last December, the judge has ordered the Taxi Service Commission to pay Mr Brenner’s legal costs in the appeal.
The development has prompted calls for the Victorian government to act quickly on Uber.
“Today’s court decision also makes it clear that the Andrews Labor Government has wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ money fighting an Uber driver through the court system only to have to now front up the costs,” said David Hodgett, shadow minister for Public Transport.
“Everyone in the transport industry wants some certainty and stability to plan for the future. Consumers also deserve the best transport services at the most competitive price and the ride sharing economy is one of the many transport options that helps make that possible,” he added.
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In December last year, the Melbourne Magistrate’s court had offered him a lower fine on the condition that he promised he would not continue to drive for Uber. But his lawyer told the court Mr Brenner could not make such an undertaking.
The case will have bearing on nine other Uber drivers awaiting trial for the same offence as Mr. Brenner.
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