LABOR LEADS ON THE SHARING ECONOMY
The ACT Government’s announcement that it will legalise ridesharing again shows Labor is taking the lead on innovative policies for the sharing economy.
The announcement of new ridesharing rules and associated taxi reforms will pave the way for ridesharing companies to operate legally for the first time anywhere in Australia.
This milestone comes as Federal Labor moves towards finalising our response to the sharing economy Discussion Paper launched in March. This looks at how we can get the national policy settings right to support the growth of this new sector while protecting Australian workers and consumers.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr deserves praise for embracing innovation and addressing the practical regulatory challenges that come with ridesharing. As with the ACT’s stamp duty reforms, this again demonstrates the Barr Government’s policy leadership.
At both the federal and state/territory level, Labor is taking a forward-looking approach which acknowledges that digital disruption is changing the way people access goods and services. The status quo doesn’t cut it anymore and new approaches will be needed.
This is the kind of leadership that has been lacking from the Abbott-Turnbull Government and state Liberal governments around the country.
We aren’t waiting for the Liberals to get their act together. There are potentially huge economic and community benefits in the sharing economy, and Labor wants to see all Australians share them.
Together with our state and territory colleagues, Bill Shorten and the Federal Labor team are determined to unlock Australian innovation and entrepreneurialism.
WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: JENNIFER RAYNER 0428 214 856