Indigenous leader kicked out of taxi 'because of race'

The co-chair of Reconciliation WA claims she was refused a taxi ride because of race.

Co-chairperson of Reconciliation WA Carol Innes.

Co-chairperson of Reconciliation WA Carol Innes. Source: Twitter

The co-chairwoman of Reconciliation WA has claimed she was kicked out of a Perth taxi on the basis of her race.

Indigenous woman Carol Innes said she got into a Swan Taxi at a busy city rank in May before the driver allegedly told her to get out twice. 

She said she stepped out and got into the next taxi in the queue. 

Ms Innes has since lodged a complaint about the incident, claiming it was blatant racism and she was left shaken by it. 

She says the second driver agreed with her that the initial incident was racism.
"He pulled up behind the first driver and basically said to him, 'you're on the rank ... you take the fare, it's the same money,' but the first driver just told him to get f***ed," she told ABC Radio Perth on Tuesday.

"If you're in a public service ... You need to treat the whole of the public with the respect that is due. I think it's ignorance."

Ms Innes said she had experienced racism in the past. 

"Over and over and over again, when we're out together, taxi drivers won't stop for us. If we've got non-Aboriginal people with us they will stop for them and we will jump in," she claimed.

Ms Innes said the WA Department of Transport and Swan Taxis have both been sent complaints about the incident. 

The transport department told SBS News it had received Ms Innes' complaint and was "working with Swan Taxis to confirm what disciplinary action was taken in response to this incident".

"If required, the department will investigate further to ensure that the matter is dealt with appropriately," the spokeswoman said.

Swan Taxis has been approached for comment. 


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By Nick Baker


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