The Opposition has blasted the Cook Labor Government for dragging its heels on vital tow truck reforms which have left WA drivers vulnerable to predatory practices for years.
Opposition Leader and Shadow Transport Minister Shane Love has queried why the Towing Services Bill 2024 had taken over two years to be introduced, after industry reforms were first promised back in April 2022.
“This is just a cut-and-paste job of laws that have long been in place in other States, and WA is now at the back of the pack when it comes to protecting drivers from the exploitative and criminal behaviour of dodgy tow truck operators,” Mr Love said.
“In Queensland, stringent regulations have been in place since 2009, capping towing charges at $419.50 for the first 50km and limiting holding yard release fees to $290.05.
“Yet WA drivers have been systematically fleeced as Labor put these crucial reforms in the too-hard basket for years, with some drivers being pressured and harassed into shelling out thousands of dollars for standard tows and storage.”
The Opposition has been pressing for these reforms for years, however, despite repeated calls for action, Labor has failed to deliver.
“The so-called ‘first-tranche’ of reforms introduced by the Government has done nothing to protect WA drivers from being exploited, and failed to root out criminal elements, including bikies and drug users, from the tow truck industry,” Mr Love said.
“Just last November, a police crackdown revealed rampant illegal activities, including connections to outlaw motorcycle gangs and 18 drivers testing positive for illicit drugs over a two-week period.
“Worse still, media reports have uncovered shocking incidents of police communication centre staff being bribed with drugs and cash to tip off tow truck drivers.
“These appalling practices have been allowed to persist under Labor’s watch because the Government has refused to prioritise these reforms.”
Mr Love also cast doubts on Labor’s commitment to passing this legislation, pointing out that the Transport Minister had offloaded what should be priority legislation to a rookie Minister.
“With only a few sitting weeks left, it’s unclear where this legislation stands on Labor’s crowded agenda, which is already bogged down with promises to expedite new knife laws, introduce fit-and-proper tests for union officials, and a raft of other Bills.
“The Transport Minister must take responsibility and provide a clear timeline for when these vital reforms will finally be passed.”
Mr Love said Labor’s inaction cast a shadow over the entire tow truck industry, which had unfairly impacted legitimate operators.
“We know there are many tow truck companies and drivers who have been doing the right thing, only to be tarred with the same brush as bikies and thugs because Labor refuses to weed out criminal operators from the system.”
