21/2/98
Three new members were today appointed to the Taxi Industry Board by Transport Minister Eric Charlton.
Mr Charlton said the new members - Eva Skira, Chas Thompson and Bill Allen - had filled vacancies created by retiring members.
The Taxi Industry Board was established in 1995 to act as the peak industry advisory body to the Minister.
"The new members have been selected from a strong field of applicants and I look forward to each of them bringing a great deal of experience to the board," Mr Charlton said.
Mr Thompson is a well known member of the taxi industry, having been a driver for more than 20 years and a taxi owner for all but two of those years. He has been an active member of the TIB Police Consultative Group, Taxi Industry Group Leaders and the Public Image Working Group.
Mr Allen has owned and driven a taxi for almost two years and has more than 30 years experience in the business sector. For the past 12 months he has also been a member of the TIB Police Consultative Group, the Taxi Industry Group Leaders as well as the Rank Committee.
Ms Skira is a business consultant, lecturer, company director, deputy chairman of Metrobus, councillor of the Securities Institute of Australia (WA) and chairman of the WA Education Committee of the SIA. She will bring a highly qualified and well credentialed business outlook to the board.
Mr Charlton thanked outgoing deputy chairman Mick Lee and members Des Stanway and John Ireland for their service to the board over the past two years and commitment to the taxi industry.
The Minister paid special tribute to Mr Lee for his dedication over many years in helping steer the taxi industry through a difficult period of change.
"The Taxi Industry Board is working very hard to gradually improve every aspect of the taxi industry," Mr Charlton said.
"Through a range of initiatives from security cameras to new licensing requirements, we are continuing to ensure Western Australia has one of the best taxi fleets in the nation."
The seven members of the Taxi Industry Board are Howard Croxon (Chairman), Joanna Ammon, Graham Muir, Dick MacDonald, Bill Allen, Chas Thompson and Eva Skira.
Media Contact: Nicole Trigwell 9321 7333
