THERE needs to be an urgent crackdown on Uber drivers operating illegally, says Queensland Parliament’s Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee.

The committee today tabled a report into a bill that, if passed, would issue demerit points to drivers who operate without a taxi licence.

The committee decided not to back the bill, introduced by Katter’s Australian Party MP Rob Katter.

But not because it was against it.

The report said the suggested penalty wasn’t urgent enough.

“The committee is concerned that given the reported tactics employed by some ride-sharing services in relation to challenging Penalty Infringement Notices (PINS), it is highly unlikely demerit points would be recorded on a driver’s traffic history in the short-term,” the report said.

The committee instead recommended Minister Stirling Hinchliffe undertake an urgent review of ways to enforce compliance with regulations, which could include legislative solutions like demerit point penalties.

It also recommended Mr Hinchliffe take immediate action to ensure compliance with the current regulatory system is enforced. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) advised the committee that ride sharing services “are operating illegally”. Previous enforcement action, including a cease and desist order and $1.7 million in fines issued to more than 500 drivers, hadn’t proven successful, the report said.

“The ability for TMR compliance officers to intercept drivers of illegal passenger transport services has been impeded by Uber, as drivers are actively evading compliance officers through the use of technology and other means,” the report said.

Committee chair Jim Pearce said the committee had heard extensive evidence of how Uber’s introduction had created an “uneven playing field” and was hurting the taxi industry.

“While the committee is recommending that the bill not be supported, it is strongly of the view that providers of personalised transport services should comply with the current regulatory framework,” Mr Pearce said.

He said it was up to the government’s taxi review, due to be handed down in August, to determine how Uber might fit into the regulatory framework in the future.

EARLIER

UBER drivers have hit a speed bump after a Parliamentary Committee today handed down a report urging the Transport Minister to take immediate action and enforce the current laws around independent transport services.

The Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee was provided with “extensive evidence” that the introduction ride sharing services has resulted in an “uneven playing field” in the personal transport industry.

The Committee was of the view while the bill proposed by Rob Katter should not be supported, those who provide personal transport services should comply to current regulatory framework.

An independent Personalised Transport Services Review is currently being undertaken by Jim Varghese and is expected to be handed down in August.