Melbourne Star Taxi & Limousine Services

01/08/2024

If my years in the commercial passenger vehicle industry have taught me anything, they are that for crucial matters, those who won't strive for perfection like the various regulators, seldom contain even competence.

08/04/2024

The world's biggest taxi killer is UBER. Over the last decade in particular Uber has been defending allegations of misconduct, corporate espionage, hacking of computer systems and knowingly launching Uber X illegally in Victoria and other states without regulatory approval.
It has been left to the licence holders to fight back while the regulators stood by and watched. The government produces statistics every month showing how many new businesses have started here in Victoria but does not explain that every new operator of a taxi or Uber must have an ABN. This is where so many ''businesses'' start.
Uber has done everything in its power to kill off the taxi businesses of so many hard working Victorians while the regulator stood by and watched. In fact, you cannot visit the regulators office anymore, you cannot have your phone calls answered or if they do answer most of the staff have little or no idea, and you certainly will never get an email response.
Private emails by Uber have been unearthed in recent court cases which shed an unflattering light on Uber. Their use of spyware, obtaining personal details of drivers and their plans to crush opponents. There is some concern that the government breached the privacy details of some drivers by allowing release of information to Uber as well.
If you ever want to kill off a business, then Uber will show you how easy it is to manipulate governments in doing so. It is worth reading about.

Call now to connect with business.

05/04/2024

WILL THE ABC ALSO CENSOR GAVIN SILBERT KC’s CRITIQUE OF THE VICTORIAN LEGAL SYSTEM AS BEING IN A PARLOUS STATE?

The lead column in The Australian on Friday 5 April was by Gavin Silbert KC – who is described as follows: Gavin Silbert KC has practised as a barrister for over 40 years in every jurisdiction and in all courts in the judicial hierarchy. Between 2008 and 2018 he was the chief prosecutor for Victoria.

Titled “Police findings erode public’s trust in state justice system”, Mr Silbert’s article commenced as follows:

The description of Victoria’s legal system as being in a parlous state by Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher seems to be, regrettably, an accurate description by Australia’s leading Catholic cleric, who graduated in law from Sydney University and practised at Clayton Utz prior to taking holy orders. The description is based on the miscarriage of justice resulting in the conviction of the late Cardinal George Pell, which was only put right by the High Court of Australia after the cardinal had spent 13 months in prison.

It is difficult to imagine a more devastating criticism of the majority of the Victorian Court of Appeal than that delivered by a unanimous bench of the High Court when it granted special leave to appeal, set aside the appellant’s convictions and entered verdicts of acquittal stating there was a significant possibility that an innocent person had been convicted because the evidence did not establish guilt to the requisite standard of proof. In doing so, the court criticised the submissions of the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions as specious.

The Australian's Dennis Shanahan broke the story of Archbishop Fisher’s comments re the Pell Case in The Australian on 12 January 2024. The ABC declined to report Archbishop Fisher’s statement delivered at St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 January 2024.

A senior ABC executive demeaned Shanahan’s story as a “so-called exclusive” and criticised Archbishop Fisher claiming that he had said that the Victoria Police was involved in a conspiracy with respect to Cardinal George Pell. In fact, Fisher did not use the word “conspiracy”.

In any event, the ABC’s refusal to regard as news a statement by the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney – declaring that the Victorian legal system is in a parlous state – was an act of censorship. Especially in view of the role played by leading ABC journalists in the media pile-on against Pell including Louise Milligan and Raf Epstein among many others.

The word censorship also applies to the fact that not one ABC outlet has discussed the books written by Frank Brennan and Gerard Henderson following the High Court’s unanimous decision to acquit Cardinal Pell. Some ABC staff are embarrassed by the de-platforming of Brennan and Henderson in this instance – but not one has had the intellectual courage to say so in public.

And now Gavin Silbert KC (who is not a Catholic) has supported Archbishop Fisher’s view about the Victorian legal system and criticised the performance of Kerri Judd KC, the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions with respect to the Pell Case and other matters.

Will the ABC report Mr Silbert’s devastating critique of the Victorian legal system in general and Ms Judd in particular? My advice is “Don’t hold your breath”- as the saying goes. The Australian Broadcasting Commission is becoming the Australian Broadcasting Censor.

One day the ABC may wake up as to why it has so few listeners today. Their journalists in Melbourne mislead us on so many issues.

31/03/2024

MY EASTER MESSAGE.

Prior to the pandemic, the world at large was more free, more fair, more safe, and more rich, for more people than at any previous time in human history.
But while the Western world has never been more materially rich, it’s rarely been more spiritually bereft. Relieved of the need to build its strength and assert its values against the old Soviet Union, like a retired sportsman it has become economically, militarily and culturally flabby.
I was lucky enough to be schooled under the Mercy sisters, and then under the Christian Bothers (and good parish priests), and the lay teachers who took inspiration from them: fine, selfless people, who saw teaching as a calling more than a career, encouraging their charges at every turn to be their best selves. Their lives were about our fulfilment, not theirs, to be “a man for others”, because it’s only in giving that we truly receive.
I had teachers who valued their students’ ability to assimilate the authorities and to create strong arguments for a distinctive position, rather that regurgitate lecture notes and conform to some orthodoxy. Indeed, this is the genius of Western civilisation: a respect for the best of what is, combined with a restless curiosity for more; a constant willingness to ask and to learn, because no one has the last word in knowledge and wisdom.
I have few claims to specific expertise and certainly no claims to personal virtue because an inevitably imperfectly and incompletely practised Christianity doesn’t guarantee goodness – but it does make us better than we’d otherwise be, this constant spur to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
Whatever our individual role, large or small, public or private, sung or unsung, our calling is to be as good as we can be, because even small things, done well or badly, make a difference for better or for worse. Everyone’s duty, indeed, is to strive to leave the world that much better for our time here: our families, our neighbourhoods, our workplaces, our classrooms, our churches, everything we do should be for the better, as best we can make it.
Consider the immortal words of the late Queen Elizabeth, on her 21st birthday, that “my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and to the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong”. No one should be in ignorance of such a life, such an exemplar of the duty and service, the honour and the fealty, by which all should live; yet but for the faithful passing on of such lessons, what will future generations know of our mighty forebears, how they lived and how they died: for family, for country, and for God.

30/03/2024

Together, let's spread the joy of Easter and transform lives.

28/03/2024

The attribute that separates humans from non-humans is that humans care for each other – we look after the weak, the young, the sick, the old.

27/03/2024

The recent revelation is that people under 30 are miserable.

Suggest you leave home and start living your own life and stop listening to all those who believe the end is nigh. There has never been a better time to be alive because there are a lot less wars, poverty is on the run, science continues to solve our problems.

Get to know someone with a disability and imagine life in their shoes. And if you already have a disability then remember there is always someone worse off than you.

Get some real perspectives. Dont believe everything you read on social media. Do some research and be open to another point of view.

Dont buy woke nonsense. There is no such thing as white privilege, racism in its most virulent forms is practised energetically in many non-white countries.

If you are not earning enough money then get another job. Or get another one. Noone owes you a damn thing. You are what you want you want to be. Discover the joys of hard work and take pride in what you do.

History happened. We dont live there anymore. Make you own history and be attentive to all around you.

27/03/2024

EARLIER TODAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THAT NDIS PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE GIVEN A SET BUDGET AND WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO OBTAIN AUTOMATIC TOP UPS.

In Victoria, participants in the Multi Purpose Taxi Program too often get automatic top ups. This despite misuse by some participants and no follow ups to fraudulent activity reports. One woman was reported over 40 times for using her sons card for her own private travel and the regulator did nothing. The woman told various taxi drivers of her reason for using the card but none of them passed the pub test according to those same experienced drivers.

Just another example of the inaction in Victoria. Taxi drivers who reported the issues were ignored even though these reports were in writing or by phone call. How do we know---the woman still kept on using the card.

Call now to connect with business.

25/03/2024

This email was sent to many licenced owners and drivers on MARCH 19 by Safe Transport Victoria.

ST Vic zooms into the 2024 Australian Grand Prix!
ST Vic will be at this year's Grand Prix between Thursday, 21 March and Sunday, 24 March.
Our compliance team will be on the ground, focusing on touting and inspecting CPVs to ensure they meet the necessary safety requirements.
You can also find us at the Innovation Hub! We’ll be running fun activities educating attendees on how to be the ultimate passenger and to treat CPV drivers with respect.
We hope our presence at the Grand Prix encourages safer journeys and ensures a positive CPV experience for all.

Media reports today MARCH 25 suggested that taxi drivers were not putting the meter on when picking up passengers from the GRAND PRIX. The same reports mentioned that SAFE TRANSPORT VICTORIA had few, if any, inspectors on the scene and it was left to police, once again, to take action.

This confirms the feeling of many in the industry that the current regulator does not care about the taxi industry.

Interestingly, there was no mention that UBER and DIDI DOUBLED THEIR PRICES FROM EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

So taxis, unsupported by their own regulator copped the blame, whilst that very same regulator was asleep at the wheel yet again.

SAFE TRANSPORT VICTORIA is a waste of taxpayers money and should be closed down until it can have the guts to properly regulate and then enforce their own regulations.

20/03/2024

The truth is that as a man's real power grows and his knowledge widens, ever the way he can follow grows narrower: until at last he chooses nothing, but does only and wholly what he must do.

07/02/2024

Want a day out with us. Why not try RED HILL this summer and autumn>
There is a very busy winery with views of the vineyard, a great addition to best drives in Victoria.

If you want a more delicious road trip experience, head to the Mornington Peninsula and take a drive through the winding roads around Red Hill and Main Ridge. We’re talking berry picking, wine tastings and hikes up Arthur’s Seat all within an hour of metro Melbourne.

11/01/2024

What happens if I commit a traffic offence in another Australian state or territory?
With the New Year now ushered in, many Aussies are on one of our most popular means of getting away over the festive season – a road trip.
Police patrols are prevalent everywhere, fixed and mobile speed cameras are switched on, and double-demerits are in force during certain periods throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
But what happens if you are detected for committing a traffic offence in another state or territory? And wat kind of penalties apply?
Local rules and penalties apply
Regardless of your home state or territory, the penalties in the jurisdiction within which your conduct occurs will apply if you are caught breaking the road rules anywhere in Australia.
For example, if you hold a New South Wales driver or rider licence and you're snapped by a camera going through a red light in South Australia, you will be penalised under the South Australian Road rules.
In Australia, each individual jurisdiction is responsible for managing traffic offences, enforcing road rules and regulating driver licences. While many of the offences are named the same way, there can be differences in terms of exact rules as well as the penalties that apply.
The Australian Road Rules Agreement
One of these differences relates to the double-demerit points scheme during public holidays, which apply only to New South Wales and the ACT.
In Victoria and Queensland, the tram systems have made way for a host of road rules that interstate drivers might not be aware of.
Of course, this can get complicated, but in 1999, the Australian Road Rules Agreement was entered by all states and territories and implemented to ensure a level of consistency across the nation, as well as to provide a platform for the demerit points scheme to operate across intra-national borders.
In all states and territories, drivers holding a full, unrestricted licence are able to accumulate a maximum of 12 demerit points or more within a three-year period.
After that, a driver may face disqualification from holding a licence. New South Wales is an exception – drivers are allowed 13 points in a three-year period.
To help simplify the system for road users, the National Transport Commission's website publishes ‘Australian Road Rules' however it is careful to point out that these are basic, general road rules only – with no real legal effect. While these rules form the basis of the road rules of each Australian state and territory, each state and territory has its own laws.
Cameras causing a rise in disputes
In recent years, governments around Australia have embraced the use of road cameras which can detect offences such as mobile phone use, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt, state and territory government revenue from cameras has soared. Originally, the technology was implemented to ‘free up police resources' and of course ‘keep people safer on our roads,' But it has also had its fair share of critics.
Serious traffic offences, which cause significant damage to property, or a person will be handled by local police and may result in criminal charges.
How can I challenge a fine in another state or territory?
However, if you have received a penalty notice (a fine) for a minor traffic offence committed in another state, you will have a certain period of time to accept the allegation and pay the fine or dispute it.
Most Australian jurisdictions have a mechanism by which to request a review for a traffic offence, but each will require the driver or rider to persuade the relevant authority that they did not engage in the alleged conduct, and/or that there are exceptional reasons why the notice should be waived.
For that reason, it is important to submit as much relevant material as possible when requesting an internal review.
If the review is refused, the driver or rider can ‘elect' to take that matter to court, but it should be borne in mind that if the appeal is unsuccessful, penalties that are heavier than the initial fine may come into play; in other words, you could end up with a bigger fine if you defended the case and are found guilty, or if you undertake a driver licence appeal which does not result in a non-conviction order such as a section 10(1)(a) dismissal in New South Wales.
Disputing a traffic fine in New South Wales
In New South Wales, Revenue NSW is the government body which processes fines (you can ask for a payment plan) and handles challenges to fines in the first instance.
If your argument is rejected by Revenue NSW, you can take the matter to court – professional advice is recommended before you take this step because courts do have the power to impose more serious penalties if you are found guilty.
The relevant piece of legislation which governs how fines are issued and enforced is called the Fines Act 1996, it also outlines your rights, and the rights of government agencies to recover money.
Disputing a traffic infringement in Victoria
In Victoria, depending on the offence you have committed you may receive an Infringement Notice (a fine) in one of the following ways:
on the spot, if you are intercepted/stopped by an issuing officer at the time of the offence
attached to your vehicle
in the post
Fines Victoria is the relevant body to contact. The Infringements Act 2006 and the Fines Reform Act 2014 govern how fines are issued and enforced.
Queensland
In Queensland, you must pay or challenge a fine within 28 days of the date of the infringement notice or you will face penalties for an overdue fine.
Also in Queensland, unless you are signed up for email updates, you will not receive a reminder to pay. It's important to act quickly.
There is no ‘review' system – if you elect not to pay the fine and want to question its validity instead, you will need to take the matter straight to court.
South Australia
If you wish to dispute a fine in South Australia, you need to contact the SA Government Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit. you have 30 days to seek a ‘review', and must lodge you application within that timeframe. There is a fee payable when you lodge your application, otherwise it will not be processed. You will also need to submit detailed evidence and information to support your application.
Tasmania
Tasmanian traffic infringement notices are handled by Tasmania Police, and payments can be lodged with the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service.
You have several options if you receive a fine. These are:
Pay the fine in full
Apply for a payment variation
Apply for a review.
Lodge a Notice of Election for a Court Hearing with the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service.
Northern Territory
The Fines Recovery Unit handles all payments for traffic infringements in the Northern Territory.
Information on the most common driving offences and penalties are outlined on the Northern Territory Government website.
As in other jurisdictions, you can seek a review of the fine and negotiate a payment plan if need be. You can also take the matter to court.
Western Australia
The body that manages traffic infringements in Western Australia is the Fines Enforcement Registry.
You have 28 days to pay the fine, seek a review or take the matter to court. Western Australia has some of the harshest penalties for not paying fines, (as outlined in the Fines, Penalties and Infringement Notices Enforcement Act 1994) including licence suspensions, vehicle immobilisation, vehicle licence cancellation and seizure and sale of your property.
In 2020, the state finally repealed laws which sent people to prison for unpaid fines.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
AUTHOR
Sonia Hickey
Sydney Criminal Lawyers

16/11/2023

With this pathetic Labor government showing a complete disregard for the police in Victoria and in also closing police stations in the evenings, another issue arises re public safety issues especially for taxi and rideshare drivers.
Drivers who are now forced to use the police to report anything and everything, will no longer have access to the police stations to report crimes such as assault or robbery or non payment of taxi fares.
Unfortunately, with SAFE TRANSPORT VICTORIA so much full of spin and no action and their associated closure of reporting incidents to them (unless police are in attendance), the poor old taxi driver is left to overcome these difficulties on his own.

The regulator advises:
"Incidents that must be reported:
the death of any person
the serious injury* of any person (this includes but is not limited to incidents that require emergency medical services assistance)
attendance by police
attendance by a health professional."

So from a taxi drivers perspective all we can see here is the regulator not showing much interest in assaults or robbery and now we wont have police stations open either.

www.ridesharevictoria.com.au

www.australiantaxiservices.com.au

Personalized Cabs is your SAFE alternative to taxis, providing all services to all people, at all times! At Personalized Cabs we provide you with a LUXURY service, at AFFORDABLE prices. Your very own personalized driver will be there to meet you and to drop you off – offering that extra assurance ...

12/11/2023

DRIVER STANDARDS
Drivers must comply with the following standards of SERVICE.
Drivers must:
Be courteous and polite at all times;
Be personally well presented; groomed and maintain a high standard of personal hygiene;
Possess a sound knowledge of streets, major buildings and landmarks in the city or area of operation;
Be suitably attired at all times. Male drivers must be attired in business trousers, a jacket and a business shirt and tie;
Be appropriately accredited;
Offer customers their seating preference;
Open vehicle doors for customers entering or leaving the vehicle;
Offer customers a choice of radio station;
Offer customers temperature and air conditioning control to their liking;
Offer customers the choice of route to their destination. If no route is suggested by client, driver must always take the most direct route subject to weather and traffic conditions;
Assist clients at all times including provision of an umbrella as appropriate;
Assist clients with luggage at all times and ensure none is left behind;
Comply with all road laws;
Ensure that any information relating to matters of a confidential, personal or sensitive nature is maintained in strict confidence and not passed on to other drivers (but should be passed on to management.
Comply with all laws and policies of various government authorities including oh and s and privacy

08/11/2023

Safe Taxi Ride | Get it Arranged by Experts. ---US
In some areas, taxis continue to dominate over ride sharing services and public transportation. In this situation, you should try to arrange a taxi. Being a local operator in Victoria we are more likely to be familiar with reliable taxi services, and organizations like in-airport taxi services and can make hiring a driver simple. (The same is true for hotels, where front desk staff frequently have access to per-arranged cab firms for rides. Some higher-end hotels offer their own vehicle services) Hence, whenever you are travelling in a taxi, try to arrange it by experts, which means you will be in safe hands.

Our numbers are 0419 012 701

09/10/2023

Under regulations and policy changes made by the CPVV in recent years, without advice to owners and drivers, should a taxi driver be robbed, the CPVV will not download the evidence from your camera unless police attend the incident.

However, police in Victoria now have an appropriate form at each police station and drivers should insist on police officers filling in such form and sending it to the appropriate people who now calls themselves Safe Transport Victoria (STV).

Be aware that the STV, whilst they say they will help you, may not do so because their internal policies, which cannot be released to you unless you are fortunate enough to win an FOI case, suggest that they may triage some events according to issues within their own department.

We have it now from the Chief Commissioner of Police in Victoria, in writing, that he expects better standards of policing and should you not be successful in getting a police officer to help you, you must lodge a complaint with the (Police) Station Commander and insist on them following up.

Obtaining financial advantage by deception is possibly one charge that can be made against an offender and you should not give up. It is more likely that police will do their job than Safe Transport Victoria and for all a driver knows this offender may be doing this regularly.

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF AND REPORT EVERY OFFENCE TO A POLICE AND INSIST ON ACTION.
Your BSP holds all the information from your meter.

11/09/2023

Our company sustains hope that one day the legislators for the taxi industry will have a proper vision, a collective spirit, to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

28/08/2023

Today the Andrews government advises people that taxi drivers must charge what is on the meter. The government does not admit that this was their own mistake that allows drivers to negotiate. fares.
The government also will not stop Uber from surcharging on Grand Final day or during the Australian Open.
Another government own goal. So now we also have the two contenders for Daniel Andrews job as Premier being shown up for what they are - incompetent:
Jacinta Allan for the Commonwealth Games cancellation
Ben Carroll for being an hypocritical Transport Minister.

The taxi industry has a lot to offer but the regulators keep stuffing it up - 5 years it has taken for them to work this out

10/07/2023

"We are our grandparents. How we treat them reflects on how we treat ourselves. Be kind. Be loving. Be strong."

26/04/2023

From the early stages of carriage travel , there have been many new changes to current limousines

22/03/2023

Hi Phil,
We thank you very much for your always 11/10 service.
Very rare to find in this day and age.
Take care and have a good day.
Many Thanks,
Brian and Elena

Received this from our customer today. You can also receive great service by PRE booking your taxi needs at least one day in advance
1300 22 1018

09/03/2023

The AFL starts next weekend but unfortunately many train line are having disruptions. So if you require transport to any AFL match or to any other event, always know that you can pre book on:
0412 181 896
0419 012 701
1300 22 1018
1300 139 740
or email [email protected]

20/02/2023

We give outstanding service

24/01/2023

Let us celebrate Australia Day, a wonderful country, so wonderful that so many people from other lands want to be here.

30/12/2022

Wow. It is a big New Year. We have numerous bookings going to the New Years races at Hanging Rock. (Now that is a tourist attraction worth visiting with many wineries in the area).
And then we have the fireworks in the city which people are going to and others going to Williamstown where they will get a magnificent view across the bay of those same fireworks.
You can get a taxi or limousine with us by pre booking using our email addresses:
[email protected]
or
[email protected] .
We reply to all correspondence.

07/08/2022

This is one of our sedans. Clean, plenty of boot space. professional drivers

Post a review to our profile on Google

06/06/2022

If your in need today hail us we all take card or cash … we also don’t surge price .

1300 22 1018

21/03/2022

The Australian Cricket Society holds a number of great events each year. On Friday April 1, the 14th Annual Football season launch will be held.
This years guest speaker is DERMOT BRERETON, THE FIVE TIME DAY AND FIVE TIME PREMIERSHIP CHAMPION FROM HAWTHORN.

Away from Fox Footy and his SEN duties, Dermie captains the Heatherhill 3rd X1, and has a farm near Griffith in the NSW Riverina.

So if you wish to listen to one of the most passionate, talented or loyal performer why not join us at KELVIN CLUB in the city at 1200pm for lunch.
$100 includes lunch and drinks.

Book by paying by eft to BSB 633000 ACCOUNT 143226314 (ref DERMIE and your name) or call Wayne 0416 983 888

01/01/2022

A NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO ALL

Thank you to all who have had contact with our various businesses in the last 12 months.
We hope we have been able to assist you.
NEW YEAR brings glad tidings for most but not all.
May THIS YEAR 2022 bring you joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness and self -control.
For those less fortunate we pray for your well-being and hope that you may find peace. Please try to have the courage and faith to follow your passions and realise your dreams.
From our drivers to all of you.
PAX TECUM

15/11/2021