Premier

New Commissioner To Improve Accessibility

01 February 2018

The Andrews Labor Government has appointed a new Commissioner to continue its drive to make taxi and hire car services more accessible.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced the appointment of Colleen Furlanetto as Commissioner at the Taxi Services Commission.

Ms Furlanetto is a respected disability advocate and an experienced leader and board member.

Ms Furlanetto is a qualified nurse and is probably best known as the former Mayor and Councillor at Strathbogie Shire. She is now Chair of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council, which provides advice to government to influence systemic change for people with a disability.

She is also former Chair of the Municipal Association of Victoria Prevention of Violence Against Women Network, and Secretary of the North East Australian Local Government Women’s Association.

As a Commissioner, Ms Furlanetto will be responsible for a diverse range of disability and accessibility issues in the commercial passenger vehicle industry, including wheelchair accessible services. She will take up her new role on 1 January 2018.

The Labor Government is investing $25 million to improve and expand accessible point-to-point services in Victoria.

People with a disability are already benefitting with an increase to the wheelchair lifting fee (an incentive paid to taxi operators and drivers) from $16.70 to $20 for each trip.

A review of subsidies and incentives for accessible point-to-point transport services is also underway to provide users with better access to convenient, reliable transport which will complement the rollout of the NDIS.

For more information about the taxi and hire car reforms visit transport.vic.gov.au/ride-shareExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“Colleen’s knowledge of the disability sector and her fantastic leadership skills will be a valuable addition to the Taxi Services Commission.”

“I look forward to working with Colleen and her fellow Commissioners to ensure people with a disability benefit from a greater range of services as we open up the industry to rideshare and other innovative transport services.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Disability Martin Foley

“Colleen is an incredible advocate for Victorians with a disability. She wants to make this state more inclusive and I wish her every success in this new role.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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