$10k taxi bill out of question

IAN Lanigan’s job as a warehouse packer with the Endeavour Business Enterprises is not just an income, but a way of life.

When asked about the most important thing in his life, the 52-year-old was quick to reply: “My job – I’m with my friends.”

But Ian’s role could be in jeopardy, after it was revealed he could pay up to $10,000 of his own money each year to travel to and from his job.

His father Tony is lobbying the State Government to reinstate the decades-old Queensland taxi concession card, which was scrapped amid the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Ian’s NDIS package only covers $3456 a year for transportation, which is the maximum anyone can claim under the scheme.

In contrast, five-day-a-week taxi rides to and from Endeavour’s warehouse on Ramsay St cost more than $13,500, which would be halved with the QTC card.

Mr Lanigan, 80, said he was planning for his son’s life after he dies, and Ian wouldn’t be able to afford $10,000 a year in taxi fares.

“I did double-check yesterday, and it does state that people who have an approved NDIS package will lose the taxi concession card,” he said.

“He will only have $3456 covered for transportation.

“The costings I did for the transportation made the assumption that at some stage Ian would have to be by himself.

“He shares cabs with people, but you have to assume that nobody necessarily in the fullness of time would be there to share and the full cost would be passed onto him.”

There is also political precedence in reversing the subsidy cuts, with both Tasmania and the ACT bringing back the transport subsidies.

A Labor spokesman said taxi subsidies were now an issue for the NDIS and the Federal Government.

“The Palaszczuk Government is aware that some recipients of packages through the NDIS have raised concerns with the level of transport funding that they are receiving,” he said.

“We have raised these issues with the Federal Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency to ensure that Queenslanders with a disability get the support and services they need and deserve.

“The Federal Government has been aware of this problem for months.

“We will continue to advocate on behalf of Queenslanders such as Mr Lanigan and his son to ensure they get the services and support they need – given that funding for the taxi subsidy scheme has been transferred to the NDIS.”

We will continue to advocate on behalf of Queenslanders such as Mr Lanigan and his son. — Labor spokesman