Taxi Drivers Advisory Group
The Victorian Government has established the Taxi Drivers Advisory Group to strengthen communication channels with the taxi industry.
This group allows taxi drivers to effectively pass on information and concerns through to their representatives who can directly discuss these matters with the Government. |  |
Regular, two-way communication with taxi drivers is important to Government to ensure the policies and initiatives we are rolling out are feasible, viable and realistic.
For further information about the Advisory Group, including future meeting dates, please
contact the Victorian Taxi Directorate.
Please see below profiles of the members, which provide a snapshot of who they are, what they are looking to achieve and how you can get in contact with them.
Arun Badgujar
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the Victorian Taxi Drivers Association.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I have been representing drivers for nearly three years now.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to ensure that the interests of taxi drivers are well served.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0430 377 493
Email:
a.badgujar@vtda.asn.au
David Brumby
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time, day shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the 13CABS Safety and Advisory Committee and the Drivers Advocate for the 13CABS Appeals Board.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I have 35 years experience driving taxis as an owner, operator and driver in Victoria and Tasmania. I have been a member of the Australian Institute of Management since 1984. I am an actively involved in 13CABS Advisory Processes. I have a strong knowledge of all aspects of the taxi industry.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to ensure that all drivers are involved in decision making processes.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0408 987 633
Email:
david@brumby.net.au
Max Coleman
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time, night shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
No, but I have applied for membership in the Victorian Taxi Drivers Association.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
Having had over 26 years' experience, I think that I may be able to provide some help. I am grateful for this initiative.
Contact details:
Mobile: 5248 3079
Bob Dalmau
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, I am the Training Officer with Frankston Radio Cabs.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I have been involved in the industry for 36 years. In that time, I have owned a taxi for five years, managed and driven a WATs taxi for approximately 10-12 years and have been a lessee owner for five years. I have also been involved with driver training and instigated new forms and ways of training new drivers into the system. I have just completed the TAFE course
Certificate 4 in Training and Assessment.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to be able to give the average taxi driver a better voice in how he is able to improve him/herself in this profession, also I would like to try and improve the training of new drivers. I think with my experience in these subjects I may be of a great help to the appropriate authorities.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0418 389 828
Email:
bobdal@bigpond.com
Shaaban El-Bassett
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time, day shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, I am on the committee of Cabbies Activity and Recreation Association (CARA).
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I will focus on drivers’ occupational health and safety and for drivers to meet the rules and regulations of VTD. I will also make sure that drivers are protected by Work Cover, Public Reliability, Insurance, etc.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to ensure that drivers are protected when it comes to income and health.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0423 431 788
Email:
elbaset156@hotmail.com
Mohamed Haji
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the Melbourne Taxi Drivers Association (MTDA).
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
We need a strong voice to represent the industry.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0421 436 456
Email:
mhaji@bigpond.net.au
Mohammed Jamma
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time, day shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the Melbourne Taxi Drivers Association (MTDA).
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I have been driving for eight years and have been involved in a lot of meetings between drivers and Government to solve drivers’ issues.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to achieve an effective taxi industry by working with the Government.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0421 800 402
Email:
duale11@hotmail.com
Carl Paull
How often do you drive your taxi?
Night shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, I am the secretary of the South East Taxi Drivers Association (SETDA).
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
As a wheelchair accessible taxi (WAT) driver and secretary of SETDA, I constantly deal with numerous issues related to drivers, WAT drivers and matters particular to the outer suburban areas.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I envisage that this forum could do a great deal to improve the conditions of drivers and that they are treated with respect by owners, networks and the public at large.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0400 844 631
Email:
carlpaull@y7mail.com
Abdi Wahab Qalinle
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time, night shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the Somalian Taxi Drivers Group.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I am an experienced and active driver who can pass on any information from the Government to my colleagues.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to change the image of the industry, improve safety for drivers and develop the relationship between taxi drivers and the community.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0417 404 688
Email:
sacadin@y7mail.com
Pritam Singh Gill
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time, day shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the Victorian Taxi Drivers Association (VTDA).
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I am concerned about the current situation with the taxi industry and I have been involved in meetings with VTD and the Transport Ministry for last two years. With almost 10 years of taxi driving experience, I think I can contribute a lot.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I would like to be a messenger to and from the drivers, to the Government and VTD so that we can solve the current problems within the taxi industry. I would like to take this group to a position that in future we as a group will be major contributors towards the decision making of any new policies that will be introduced in relation to our industry, which affects our livelihood. In this industry taxi drivers are the only group to be least represented and any new policies which are introduced, we drivers are the one who are most affected by it.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0421 138 113
Email:
Pritamg@yahoo.com
Anna Stavretis
How often do you drive your taxi?
Part time.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the Southern Cross Rank Lobby Group, the Victorian Taxi Drivers Association and the Cabbies Activity and Recreation Association (CARA).
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I am passionate about improving the safety and working conditions of taxi drivers. I have formed the Southern Cross Rank Lobby Group in order to convince the appropriate authorities of the need to install taxi ranks in Spencer Street, at the Southern Cross Station. I am an active member of VTDA and a member of the VTDA's Rank Committee. I believe that in order for taxi drivers to have a voice they need to be united and represented by organisations that have direct link to Government so that the Government is made aware of their concerns. This link to Government I feel is very important and it is the reason why I have joined the TDAG. I commend the VTD for supporting the VTDA and for introducing the TDAG and hope that they are sincerely interested in what taxi drivers have to say.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I also hope that through our interactions with the VTD we will be able to bring about positive changes in the taxi industry.
Contact details:
Email:
annastavretis@bigpond.com
Kanwar Virk
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
Yes, the Transport Workers Union.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I have been driving a taxi since 1996 and keep in regular touch with a large group of drivers on taxi-related issues.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to create a better working environment for drivers and to bridge the gap between drivers and the community.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0430 090 545
Email:
virk1@hotmail.com
Fateh Wardak
How often do you drive your taxi?
Full time, night shift.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
No.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I am in constant contact with both passengers and taxi drivers, and therefore I am aware of their needs. I can convey their queries, and help overcome any shortcomings.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
I want to ensure a safe workplace for taxi drivers.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0419 561 670
Email:
fateh.wardak@gmail.com
Amanda Webb
How often do you drive your taxi?
Day time, driving WATs.
Are you a member of any other advisory or representative groups?
No.
Why do you think you are an appropriate representative for Victorian taxi drivers?
I can offer a female perspective, having worked both day and nights driving taxis. I'm an experienced WAT driver assisting general passengers, MPTP members and the elderly.
What do you want to achieve by joining TDAG?
An opportunity to speak to government and discuss issues affecting drivers at the grass roots level and to bring about change from the bottom up.
Contact details:
Mobile: 0432 595 265
Email:
oddcouple@sunet.com.au