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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-02-22 Daily Xml
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Rideshare Services

Mrs HURN (Schubert) (15:33): Last year I was in the main street of Tanunda, which is in the Barossa Valley in my electorate of Schubert. I noticed a couple of people with their phones out, looking slightly confused. As the local member of parliament, I approached them and asked them whether they needed directions. They said to me, 'No, we know exactly where we're going. The confusion is about why our Uber apps aren't working here in Tanunda.' It turns out they were tourists from New South Wales, and they were quite perplexed when I told them that it was actually illegal for rideshare companies like Uber to operate in such a premier wine region as the Barossa Valley, and that it was actually a state government regulation, if you like, that prohibited these rideshare companies from operating.

After having that conversation—and similar conversations, frankly, with so many locals and businesses—I launched a pretty simple survey and a petition, asking my community a question: would you like to see rideshare companies like Uber operating in the Barossa Valley?

Before launching the survey, I did reach out to the local taxi companies in the Barossa, and I have had some great conversations with the Barossa and Light taxi service about some of their concerns. I believe that, frankly, it is a testament to the services that taxis provide that, despite the introduction of rideshare, taxi companies do remain the mode of transport of choice for many people, especially people who need some additional assistance.

I also believe, and I made this point to the taxi companies, that they provide a great service, but in busy times during events and on weekends there is absolutely room for companies who are operating rideshare businesses to operate, and it is very clear from the local response that I have received that more transport options are supported. In fact, nearly 3,000 people responded to my survey, and I think the responses speak for themselves.

I am pleased to report to the house that of the nearly 3,000 people who responded to my survey 95.1 per cent gave rideshare companies like Uber in the Barossa a big tick. That means that 4.9 per cent of respondents said no. I really am not surprised at this response. I think it makes sense that in a wine region like the Barossa Valley, which is literally known for its wine-tasting and its bold Barossa Shiraz, we would allow this to occur. It is fantastic to allow people to not just get from A to B but enjoy all the businesses that we have on offer.

Apart from being surprised that Uber was not able to legally operate, people said that the introduction of rideshare would almost certainly reduce the risk of drink-driving, that it would provide locals themselves with some employment opportunities, just to get that little bit more coin that they need during this cost-of-living crisis, and that it would also give many local families peace of mind that when their children are heading out, or when their young teenagers, or older teenagers, are heading on out the town, they have another reliable, safe way of being able to get home.

Importantly, it will bring the Barossa into line with its competitors that we see right across the nation. The survey highlighted that among the nearly 5 per cent opposed to rideshare there was concern about the potential impact that this would have on the local taxi industry. People in the Barossa care about their communities, they care about local businesses, but the reality is that rideshare services and taxis operate side by side around the world. I have no doubt that taxis and rideshare can very much coexist in harmony in a beautiful place like the Barossa Valley.

The arguments in favour of introducing rideshare services in the Barossa are strong. In December 2021, the former Liberal government expanded the boundary to allow for Uber in the Adelaide Hills and the Mount Barker council regions, and now is the time for them to be expanded yet again. Uber have also indicated that they too see opportunities in the Barossa. With the possibility of a Gather Round, I think now is the perfect time to give people that option.

The bottom line is if there is no demand for rideshare then there will not be a business, but right now there is no option for people to even test that market. A small matter of changing the regulations will allow for rideshare to be given an opportunity and it will allow locals to get from A to B, and it will be a big win for businesses as well.

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