Police are investigating death threats sent to the homes of two West Australian Labor MPs, seemingly over their plans to compensate the taxi industry for competition from ride-sharing services.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Armadale MP Tony Buti, who has been managing the consultation process, received the letters this week.
The minister's eight-year-old daughter opened the envelope.
Premier Mark McGowan said the letters were shocking and if the perpetrator was caught, they would face serious consequences.
"This is one of the most disgraceful and appalling things I've seen in my political life," Mr McGowan told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's people demanding a different arrangement in relation to the taxi deal.
"If people think that in some way it will get them the outcome they want, they're completely wrong."
Under legislation introduced to state parliament on Wednesday, a maximum levy of $10 will be applied to all metropolitan trips to pay for voluntary taxi plate buybacks as ride-sharing services such as Uber put the squeeze on the industry.
According to Mr Buti, most plate owners will receive a minimum of $100,000 and a few may receive a maximum of $250,000.
Mr McGowan said there had been a lot of consultation and the deal was generous to taxi plate owners.
The levy will be applied for four years and is expected to be passed on to consumers.
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