Queensland Limo industry seeks covid-19 support

Below is a letter sent to the Queensland Premier from the chairperson of the Limo Action Group QLD.

Dear Premier,

The Limousine Industry in QLD request urgent relief and support. Limousine and luxury transport operators and drivers are still recovering from the disruption of their industry due to introduction of ride share and are now suffering greatly due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Limousine and passenger transport businesses rely on international travellers, tourism, events and corporate travellers. With the current restrictions on travel, reduction of airline travel, cancellation of all events and the reduction in movement of the community, limousine businesses have limited
clients and most have lost 90% of their income.
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Limousine & Taxi Operators operate on Bailment Agreements with their drivers and typically do not have employees, so will receive no relief under the federal governments Cash Flow Assistance for Business initiative.

These hardworking small business owners have been suffering before and since the TOPTA reforms. Many are still repaying loans on licenses that no longer hold value, and many have tax debts from the Transitional Assistance and Hardship payments which were unfairly taxable. They have struggled and worked hard to retain their dignity and keep the limousine industry alive in Queensland.

Drivers are not employees but are engaged on a bailment system. Drivers do not fall under workcover, they receive no holiday pay, no sick leave, and no superannuation, the vast majority earn below the minimum wage.

Our drivers, who are also small business owners, are suffering from the dramatic loss of work and also from the nature of their work which makes them at high risk of infection or suspected infection. Just today a limousine driver was contacted and advised that a passenger in his vehicle recently had tested positive for COVID-19 and now he has to self-isolate for 2 weeks. This driver has no income for this period and no access to workers compensation as he works under a bailment agreement. Even when he is out of self-isolation there will be limited work for him to return to.

I ask you Premier to provide support and relief for not only the Limousine Industry but also our Taxi and Rideshare colleagues by considering implementing the following measures:
- Provide sanitising and protective products to drivers
- Waiver of DA fee for existing Driver Authority holders
- Waiver of limousine and taxi licence renewal fees
- Waiver of BHSL fees for existing vehicles
- Waiver of Operator Accreditation Fees for existing Operators
- Develop a state small business support scheme for businesses failing due the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Waiver vehicle registration fees for T and L Plate vehicles for 12 months

We also request you advocate for these groups to receive Federal Government support in the following ways and more:
- Defer BAS payments
- Support us with asking banks and lending institutions to defer payments and simplify the hardship application process.
- Remove the requirement for hardship plans and default payments to be recorded on credit history during this period.
- Develop a payments scheme for drivers who are required to self-isolate or are diagnosed with coronavirus.
- Develop a federal small business support scheme for businesses failing due the COVID-19 Pandemic
Thank you for your strong leadership through this difficult time and the time and attention to these matters.