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Uber Audit Needed Into Technology 'Trashing Community Standards': Union

The TWU wants an audit of Uber.
The TWU wants a probe into Uber.
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The TWU wants a probe into Uber.

The Transport Workers Union says a nationwide audit of Uber is needed to ensure safety and fairness following the banning of the popular ride-sharing service in London.

The TWU issued to call to action on Saturday, urging state and federal government to conduct a probe into Uber to ensure it was fit and proper to operation across Australia.

"We want Uber to continue operating in Australia, but only if it can meet community expectations about safety and fairness, both for drivers and consumers," TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon said.

"On Monday, I will write to state and federal transport ministers to seek a nationwide audit of Uber, co-ordinated by the Council of Australian Governments.

"Uber's business model relies on outpacing regulators, but as the London experience shows, this is ultimately self-defeating. The audit we are proposing here in Australia is designed to save Uber from eating itself."

He said it was essential that ride-sharing platforms, like Uber, were not "built on poor safety, weak oversight and exploitation of drivers".

"Technology is no excuse for trashing community standards such as safety and legal payment of workers," Sheldon added.

The union's plea echoes that of the Australian taxi industry, which has called for a review of Uber's licensing agreements in Australia and praised London authorities for "standing up for their rules".

Uber was this week stripped of its licence to operate in the British capital, with transport regulators citing a lack of corporate responsibility at the Silicon Valley technology giant.

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