A Nexus Inquiry

A Nexus Inquiry

Faruque Ahmed

President

Taxi Drivers' Section, NSW TWU

6/12 Woodbury Street

Marrickville - 2204

Phone - (02) 9564 1079, Fax - 9559 6030 Mobile - 0418 227 551

Date: 30 January 1998

Mr. Brian Scurff
Regional Manger
NSW Department of Transport
Fax - (02) 9270 6199


Dear Mr. Scurff

It becomes a must to ask you the following questions as reports coming to us that taxi plates issued by the DoT are being used by questionable people with far more questionable motive. It is essential to obtain an official answer for the following questions. I hope your co-operation in this respect.

1. How many types of taxi plates (free of charge and conditional) were given to taxi networks and/or companies by the DoT?
2. How much revenue paid by those networks to the DoT for the usage of those taxis?
3. How many of those taxis were retained and operated by the taxi networks and/or companies?
4. How many of those taxi plates were leased or given to other taxi operators/bases?
5. Did all of those operators/bases paid same amount of money for the usage of these taxis, & what would be the total amount paid to the networks and/or companies?
7. Did those operators in question "5" bailed out taxis to other bailees/bailors and what were the total monitory amount being charged for such bailments?
8. Did those operators/bases in question "5" adhered to: a. DoT Acts and Regulations?
b. Industrial Relations Acts and Regulations?
c. Occupational Health & safety Acts and Regulations?
d. Fair Trading Acts? and
e. Workers Compensation Acts?
9. Did the DoT issued taxi plates on "never to be traded" basis prior to 1995?
10. Did the DoT removed "never to be traded" condition plates refer-red in question "9"?
11. How many taxi plates have been issued for the usage of disabled people and are they being used for this purpose or used as a normal taxi?

12. Can the Department assure that all disabled taxi plates are being used to their full potential?

13. What mechanism is in place to ensure that such taxi plates could be monitored to serve it's intended purpose?

14. Do you have a register of taxi owners/operators accessible to bailee drivers to ensure their authenticity?

With thanks

Sincerely yours

Faruque Ahmed

Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

Please stand side by side with Faruque and prove that you care about taxi drivers instead of stabbing him without any valid reason or ground.

--- In Sydney_TaxiCorruption@yahoogroups.com, "jasonnash80" wrote:

Re: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

Poor Faruque got no friends during action. Yet, he got many critiques! Is it a sad and bad situation?

Nicecabbie ought to be commended for his interest in this affair anyway.

--- In NSWTDAEXEC@yahoogroups.com, "Ted Hirsch" tedhirsch@ wrote:
Re: [NSWTDAEXEC] Re: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

Faruque,

Thanks for clarifying that you seek comment or advice. But I'm not sure on what, if any, below. I understood you wanted to REPLY to the Ch 7 letter BEFORE going to Slater & Gordon. I agreed to assist with any letter YOU drafted. I don't see such a draft letter anywhere. Over to you.

Cheers,

Ted

(I am still of the view that going straight to Slater & Gordon might be best, but prepared to assist with reply to Ch 7 letter as per above.)

--- In Sydney_TaxiCorruption@yahoogroups.com, "nicecabbie" wrote: Re: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

Thanks for the clarification, Jason. Be sure to tell Faruque that we'll be eager to hear about his great victory over the Seven Network when it happens.

--- In Sydney_TaxiCorruption@yahoogroups.com, "jasonnash80"
wrote:

Re: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

nicecabbie,

Faruque was demanding "Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants". Network 7 failed to do that and they are trying to defending the indefensible. Now, Faruque is asking good taxi drivers to assist him to take this issue further.

--- In Sydney_TaxiCorruption@yahoogroups.com, "nicecabbie" wrote:

Re: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

It's not an unreserved apology, Faruque. In fact, the writer spends the greater part of the letter defending the content of the programme. The 'apology', such as it is, is merely a diplomatic gesture. There is no admission of wrongdoing.

Your claim that an 'Unreserved Apology to Taxi Divers [sic] and Migrants' was issued is, as usual, an overblown case of Faruque-hyperbole.

--- In Sydney_TaxiCorruption@yahoogroups.com, "union_faruque" wrote:

For your comment or advice.

Re: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

7

1 December 2008

Mr Faruque Ahmed

Media Manager

NSW Taxi Drivers Association

PO Box 322

ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015

Dear Mr Ahmed

TODAY TON/GGHT -15 OCTOBER 2008

Thank you for your letter we received on 11 November 2008 in relation to a Today Tonight broadcast on 20 October 2008. Your letter has been referred to me for response on behalf of the Network.

The Australian television industry is regulated in accordance with the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice ("the Code"). The Code is endorsed by Free TV Australia, the industry body which represents all of Australia's commercial free-to-air television licensees and is registered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority ("ACMA"), the Federal Government agency responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radiocommunications, telecommunications and online content. The Code is a result of extensive consultation with government advisory bodies, community interest groups, industry representatives and the public generally. You can access a copy of the Code by visiting the Free TV website at: www.freetvaust.cam.au

The Code is intended to regulate the content of commercial television in accordance with current community standards and to ensure that news and current affairs programs and promotions are broadcast fairly, accurately and appropriately.

Specifically, clause 4.3.1 of the Code stipulates that when broadcasting news and current affairs programs, licensees "must present factual material accurately and represent viewpoints fairly, having regard to the circumstances at the time of preparing and broadcasting the program".

It should be noted that Clause 4.3.1 requires licensees to `represent viewpoints fairly, having regard to the circumstances at the time of preparing and broadcasting the program'. It does not require that all views relevant to a program must be presented, or that a licensee must use all the material available to it at the time of preparing and broadcasting a program.

The Today Tonight story in question presented Errol Robinson's personal quest to investigate his concern that taxi drivers new to Australia and who are not familiar with Australian roads are costing customers at least 20% extra on some fares.

The introduction to the story elucidated that the investigation and opinion was one held by Errol Robinson's and other experienced cabbies: "Everyone has got a cabbie story, but tonight, the cabbies are telling their own. Australian born drivers are taking aim at migrant drivers who rely on satellite navigation systems to get around ... Local drivers are saying that it's not good enough because their reputations are at stake ..."

The program's subsequent test results supported Mr Robinson's concerns showing that those drivers reliant on satellite navigation systems ended up with higher fares than drivers familiar with the local area. Consequently, we do not believe the material presented in the program was in breach of clause 4.3.1.

Further, Clause 1.8.6 of the Code provides that a licensee may not broadcast a program or program promotion:

"Which is likely, in all circumstances, to: provoke or perpetuate intense dislike, serious contempt or severe ridicule against a person or group of persons on the grounds of age, colour, gender, national or ethnic origin, disability, race, religion or sexual preference".

The drafting of clause 1.8.6 deliberately includes reference to, "likely in all circumstances", "intense", "serious" and "severe" to reflect the intention that the clause relates only to material that is egregious, flagrant or gross in nature. Therefore, a very high threshold is required to be met before material is considered in reference to clause 1.8.6.

While we do not believe that the story was "likely, in all circumstances to provoke intense dislike, serious contempt or the severe ridicule" of immigrant taxi drivers, we apologise for any offence it may have caused. It was certainly not our intention to do so or to encourage racial intolerance of any kind.

Your letter has been brought to the attention of the Executive Producer of the Today Tonight program and your complaint has been logged in our official records which we are required to publicly report each year.

Seven appreciates you taking the time to put your complaint in writing. Letters such as yours provide a valuable source of feedback regarding community attitudes and concerns. The Seven Network takes its broadcast responsibilities and your complaint seriously and takes steps to ensure that material which is put to air is fair and appropriate and that we are meeting the expectations of all sectors of the community.

If you are dissatisfied with this response the Code provides that you may write to the Australian Communications and Media Authority with regard to your concerns.

Yours sincerely

Nick O'Donnell

Regulatory & Business Affairs

Seven Network (Operations) Limited

--- In NSWTDAEXEC@yahoogroups.com, "union_faruque" wrote:
Re: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Migrants

Based on mamubhi's posting I am going to ask Ted or anyone to draft a Media Release or letter to address the situation before the next committee meeting.

--- In Sydney_TaxiCorruption@yahoogroups.com, "mukto_mona" wrote:

Faruque Ahmed got a few filthy rich and powerful enemies. However, far too many people of all walks o life love him too. These peoples' combined voice managed to scare the electronics terrorists and Faruque's emails are working now.

I also believe, Faruque is talking to law firms like Slater and Gordon to take a class action against racist Seven Television Network.

Source: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sydney_TaxiCorruption/message/1155

--- In shonar-bangla@yahoogroups.com, "mamubhi" wrote:

In fact Faruque Ahmed wrote this letter below on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 with couple of typo as he was under tremendous pressure for a number of reasons.

Faruque Ahmed is authorised to issue Media Release or write letters on behalf the NSW TDA as per established policies. However, to make it easier and consensual, he posted the letter on the Executive Forum. The following day, he found some positive remarks by some committee members. One of his committee members spoke to him about the issue and he promised to read his email before writing the letter at 6.00 pm. However, at the nominated time Faruque Ahmed found his email was sabotaged by `good people'. He was angry and frustrated at that time. He then spoke to Ted and asked him to send another email to another email address. Alas! At midnight, he found the other email was sabotaged too.

Based on previous experience, one can conclude Faruque's phone may be bugged by someone (legally or illegally) and his email too may be sabotaged or hacked the least. Naturally his friends published his story in many places to chase criminals.

At that time Faruque was also busy to collect true information about another ugly incident at the Kingsford Smith Airport, domestic terminal and later at the international terminal involving taxi drivers, security guards, state and federal police.

In short, a security guard misdirected a taxi driver and later an argument ensued. Police was called in and seventeen state and federal police arrived at the scene. The police have acted like `rent a cop' and threatened to arrest the taxi driver. The taxi driver stood his ground and said, "I have not committed any crime – on what ground are you going to arrest me". He was supported by other taxi drivers too. At the end the driver gave in to brutal force and left the terminal for the International Airport.

Over there the movement was slow and he was sharing his story with other taxi drivers including the NSW TDA Vice President Ann. In fact taxi drivers were having a bit of good time at their own expense. Around sixty minutes later two police arrived and they asked all taxi drivers to disperse. All of the drivers refused and said, "this is our workplace and we are talking to each other – you are not going to tell me it is illegal!" Anyway, the police said to the taxi driver who was originally involved in the argument at the domestic terminal, "you are barred from the Airport for 24 hours". Naturally, all of the taxi drivers present protested and said, "you can't do that". Finally, taxi drivers won and the NSW TDA Vice President Ann made very good contribution despite she had a personal tragedy on that day.

Now, one must wonder why the hell the NSW TDA is not issuing a Media Release asking federal police commissioners Mick Keelty, NSW Minister for Police and Sydney Airport Authority to investigate this incident and stop taxi driver harassment.

--- In Sydney_TaxiCorruption@yahoogroups.com, "jasonnash80" wrote:

Union_faruque@... is sabotaged and Faruque Ahmed asked me to post this item on his behalf.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Source: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sydney_TaxiCorruption/message/1153

NSW TAXI DRIVERS ASSOCIATION

INCORPORATING BAILEE DRIVERS, OWNER DRIVERS AND LESSEE DRIVERS

Inc.no. 9882558 ABN 98 653 928 763 PO Box 322, Alexandria NSW 2015

'A Fair Share of a Fair Fare'

President: Geoff Coates Secretary: Ted Hirsch

Mobile: 0431 585 944 Phone: 02 9526 1629 Phone: 02 9810 1136 Mobile: 0432 665 822

Subject: Unreserved Apology to Taxi Drivers and Immigrants

Chief Executive Officer

Seven Network Limited
38-42 Pirrama Road
Pyrmont NSW 2009
Ph: (02) 8777 7777

Dear Sir/Madam

Your network's Today Tonight show deliberately aired an anti-taxi driver and anti-immigrant story based on blatantly false and fabricated reasons and grounds. This report was carefully conspired, concealed, fabricated and delivered to cause injury to all taxi drivers and migrant workers in general. Most importantly, this broadcasted report was not truthful and accurate in the first place.

ABC Television's famous Media Watch program and many other sources clearly exposed the fraudulent and malicious nature of the Today Tonight (Monday, 20/10/08 re Taxi Driver) segment mentioned above.

I therefore ask you to broadcast an unreserved apology on several occasions at prominent time slots. Failure to do so as requested may result legal action in the state and federal arena.

Sincerely Yours

Faruque Ahmed

Media Manager

Mobile: 041 091 4118

Email: union_faruque@...

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Source: Sydney Taxi Corruption

Ray of Hope

Ray of Hope

Further to Miranda's Xmas and Taxis and Beyond Taxi Driver Bashing and New years Eve this year the state government has organised extra trains and buses on New years Eve. As a result they moved out people quicker and faster than taxis. May be taxi drivers made a little less money but it was less stressful for them. By the same time a few bus and train drivers got some overtime as a new years present. Happy face all around and welcome year 2010!

The authorities also enforced Islamic Shariah in a way by confiscating, banning and reducing alcohol consumption! As a result there were lesser aggression and violence!!

However, closure of the old Coat Hanger and many Sydney streets were a bit over the top. I am sure, next year they will plan it better.

Faruque Ahmed

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Christmas, Curry and Many Faiths

Today I went to The Sydney Morning Herald website and searched for Tanvir Ahmed. The result was amazing! Many terrorists and terrorist related news appeared in the horizon. However, the real Tanvir Ahmed article I was looking for failed to turn up!!

After reading the article and related comments I found prejudice, bigotry and ignoramus galore. I won’t ask:

1. Who Is a Semite?
2. Do You Know Who Is a True Jew? and
3. What is a Judeo-Christian culture?

Asking above questions may push me at the edge of “anti-Semite” boundary without any valid reasons or grounds!

However, no one can ignore the fact that:

1. Jesus (PBHUH) is an exalted person and revered by Muslims.

2. The Jews conspired to murder him at Jerusalem and later his brother James at Rome.

You see, the “Jews” do not even accept Jesus (PBUH) and they insult mother Marry. Yet, Blind Australians and Australian Media look up for Judeo-Christian culture and despise Muslims without any corroborative reasons or grounds in the first place.

I suppose the quest of Tanvir Ahmed must go deeper. Eating beacon and egg is neither Christianity nor teachings of Jesus Christ.

Faruque Ahmed

Christmas, curry and many faiths

December 24, 2009

Comments 26

Growing up as Muslim, I never enjoyed Christmas. I was surrounded by rituals, events and hype about something I was told not to believe in. Friends rang my doorbell early on Christmas morning ready to show off their presents. I gawked at their bike or remote-control car but then quietly retreated to my room, wondering when television would graduate from the singing of carols and uplifting stories of sacrifice to being filled with hours of cricket.

As with Palestinians and Iraqis, I felt humiliated and dispossessed by an overbearing show of Western force, outgunned by gigantic Christmas trees and ostentatious decorations.

Nor did reassurance from my parents help. They reminded me that I received presents during our Muslim ''Christmas'', known as Eid, which was also filled with gluttony and, at least in countries that were majority Muslim, crass commercialism.

I was asked to recognise that our community had its own Santa Claus-like figures, armies of long-bearded old men who kept odd hours and retained tabs on who had been naughty or nice. They were known as sheikhs or mullahs. Their presents ranged from fatwas to obscure references to the Koran.

I became resentful about Christmas. Having no outlet to channel my anger, I quietly withdrew to my sporting memorabilia. I dreamt of a world where I could belong, eating bacon and swilling alcohol without fear of retribution.

My younger sister was more aggressive and insistent on celebrating Christmas. Suddenly our home was filled with trees and decorations, tinsel, streamers and even a strange herb called mistletoe. Small presents appeared in our house, although they rarely survived until Christmas morning to be opened.

The food didn't change. There were no Christmas turkeys or mince pies. We continued to eat my mother's parathas, curry and a lassi-like drink that was meant to be like egg-nog, but laced with turmeric.

Given Islam followed a lunar calendar, there were several years when the major Muslim celebration coincided with Christmas, much like the Jewish Hannukah does each year. This was a time of particular joy, for it allowed us to assert our religious festival more forcefully, to trumpet our minority identity in a multicultural society. It was ''Chanukeid'' season.

Some Muslims even began giving greeting cards and decorating their houses. The miracle of the virgin birth was replaced with the miracle of Muhammad splitting the moon. I lobbied for something equivalent to midnight Mass at the local mosque but the clerics rejected it vehemently.

They argued that the mimicking of Christian celebrations was a capitulation to the dominant culture. I told them it was tough showing off to friends about praying five times a day.

Surveys among American Jews have shown that those who are most concerned with assimilation are most likely to go all out for Hanukkah, to entice their kids to keep the faith. This was also true for Muslims, an example of a competitive marketplace in the realm of religious festivals.

The more we attempted to mimic Christmas, the more it became clear Christmas had evolved into a secular celebration as much as a religious one.

Many households of non-Christian faiths such as mine adopt the customs of the day, from Christmas trees with presents for the children to taking the opportunity to have a family get-together. Strict Jews and Muslims treat the day as any other but most welcome the public display of religion in a culture that shuns the outward expression of faith. The celebration of family and community is a universal aspiration.

The degree to which Christmas should be emphasised in a multicultural society may be contentious to some, yet voices of protest rarely emanate from non-Christians. I am particularly amused by the occasions when well-meaning folk have corrected themselves to call Christmas the ''holiday season'' to appear more inclusive for my benefit.

Since Coca-Cola first adopted in its advertising a bearded man in a red and white suit, Jesus has long been supplanted by Santa. Father Christmas may be a jolly figure of secular commercialism but he is arguably more accessible for disparate groups.

I have since married a Christian, caving in to my cultural oppressors. We do not take religion too seriously. I have grown more comfortable sitting next to the Christmas ham. I still receive few presents and when I do, they are usually socks or ties. I have yet to wake my friends to show these off. I await the cricket to begin the following day just as eagerly.

Tanveer Ahmed is a psychiatry registrar.

Comments

26 comments so far

Strange and shallow article... you seem more focused on the wrapping paper rather than the actual meaning of any of the celebrations you described

Sarah | Berala - December 23, 2009, 7:39AM

This is actually a much bigger phenomenon here in Britain where there is much more debate about how Muslims should behave in Christmas. I have a number of Pakistani friends and they say it can become quite heated when debating issues like buying presents or having decorations in Xmas. But I agree with the author's sentiment that the celebration has essentially become a secular one- which is actually more inclusive. I didn't think it was shallow at all- it was funny!

Billy | London - December 23, 2009, 8:08AM

You sound conflicted, Tanveer. Why is it that Islam seems to have the most problems in coexisting with other cultures?

Oppressed? Don't make me laugh. I'm oppressed at having to read this endless stream of complaint from interlopers of intolerant cultures.

Paul | Ashbury - December 23, 2009, 8:18AM

Shallow? Really? I would look deeper. Once you remove the wrapping paper it is apparent that the message is not about the meaning of the celebrations but that faith brings eople together regardless of religion.

Navig8 - December 23, 2009, 8:31AM

Sarah, get over yourself. To my mind you are strange and shallow with your criticism of this persons reminiscences. In so many ways I have similar memories of a childhood spent in a foster home.

shortfatbaldguy | Blue Mountains - December 23, 2009, 8:37AM

I think its sad that your family was not able to strengthen its own religious beliefs and bowed to your and your sister's pressure to be like the majority around you. I myself am a Muslim, born and bred here but never felt that I was missing out on Christmas, I just knew its wasn't something I celebrated in our religion.

Paul, Islam doesn't have a problem coexisting...it is only a group of people who have the problem.

mystic - December 23, 2009, 8:57AM

I always have to scoff whenever Muslims in Australia complain of cultural oppression. People in Australia are free to practice whatever religion they want (provided it doesn't violate the laws) or no religion at all.

I wish the same could be said for some muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Malaysia - which actively discriminate against people of non-muslim religions.

mkay | CBD Sydney - December 23, 2009, 9:10AM

Let's not forget that the original celebrations held in late december was the pagan celebration for the Winter Solstice. After the Romans became Christians, the date of the birth of christ was chosen to occur inline with the pagan festival. Most biblical scholars agree that it is highly unlikely that Christ was born in December.

So really this celebration is whatever you want it to be. If you're devoutly Christian, then celebrate Christ. If you're atheist, celebrate the holiday, if you're any other religion then pick some event to celebrate, and if you're the grinch who stole christmas... then write a whiney article.

pk | Sydney - December 23, 2009, 9:03AM

You know, despite the fact that I am a particularly devout Buddhist, I've never had a problem celebrating Christmas. Christmas has never had anything more than a patina of religious celebration about it, and, at least in Australia, has always been a simple Saturnalian celebration of the end of the year dedicated to everyone. I visit my Christian friends' parties; catch up; enjoy and simply luxuriate in the pleasant company of others at a universally accepted celebration time.

And to those who think it's cultural imperialism... I don't remember anyone complaining when I celebrate Tet, or the lunar new year, or any other celebration relevant to my religion. Nor did they probably mope around complaining about it or feeling all "uncomfortable." I think those people who feel uncomfortable about being around others celebrating are genuinely sad people.

Wack - December 23, 2009, 9:44AM

So sick of every article written by a muslim being followed by stupid comments from bigotted people who immediately assume the article is somehow criticising western culture.

This article is clearly observational in nature. It would be strange being surrounded by a celebration that you haven't grown up with. As an athiest, I felt like this on World Youth Day. You feel like an outsider looking in. I think this article is a musing about that. It's perfectly normal, perfectly natural and most of us would feel the same way.

Everything I've read by this author shows that he is an objective thinker who happens to be muslim and one of the few muslim commentators I've read who can comment on our society without sticking the boot into western culture. People should read his articles and use them as an opportunity to empathise and understand.

Sally | Sydney - December 23, 2009, 9:35AM

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