Cabbie’s success in fight to drive

A GEELONG taxi driver has won a long legal battle to regain his accreditation after multiple criminal issues over the past few years.

The Taxi Services Commission had denied Ziggy Jakubowski’s bid to return to the industry, following the loss of his licence in 2011 due to drinkdriving and careless driving.

A further incident where the 63-year-old threatened to kill police and resist arrest led to his accreditation being denied in 2014.

His stoush with the TSC escalated last October when he threatened to shoot staff.

His call saw the call centre closed, the TSC’s customer service area evacuated and Mr Jakubowski issued with a 12month ban from the centre.

However, he has since won a case in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which has ordered the TSC to reissue the 40-year taxi veteran’s accreditation.

Handing down her finding last week, VCAT deputy president Heather Lambrick said Mr Jakubowski had managed to establish a successful business with a fleet of taxis.

“I accept that he is able to provide this service with safety, comfort and amenity and convenience,” Ms Lambrick said. “I am confident that Mr Jakubowski has learnt a salutary lesson and is well aware that he must control outbursts.

“He is well aware that a failure to do so will inevitably result in loss of his driver accreditation.”

The TSC’s grounds for refusal related to his conviction for making a threat to kill and five counts of resisting police in June 2012.

Ms Lambrick said the offending did not take place at work, and there had been no further offending.

“Mr Jakubowski has successfully assisted his wife in her operation of a fleet of taxis by washing/maintaining the vehicles,” she said.