OK, first things first. 'Jazz Randyboy' is the BEST name I have ever heard. I want HIM as our first President. Bugger it, President for life. Outstanding!
It is interesting, I went to my nephew's first birthday party this afternoon, and a few of the adults (one a serving Victoria policeman) were discussing this protest. It has actually been quite remarkable.
This whole thing has been spontaneous. It was not organised by a union or any other organisation, but was a genuinely spontaneous. There must be organised protest groups wishing they could do half as good a job. Not only was there a big, committed turnout, but the cabbies had their demands met (including the Police not processing tickets handed out to taxis involved in the protest).
Despite causing considerable disruption, there has been little to no public anger at the protest. People seem to instinctively understand that what the cabbies are protesting about is valid. Most people understand that cab drivers are exploited by license owners, who rarely drive, yet reap half the takings. This means that cab driving is often the province of unskilled new migrants & students - people who stuggle to get regular jobs.
There is also an awareness of the danger of cab driving.
I am also not surprised by the claim that violent atacks hve increased in recent years. I think this has a range of causes. Changes in liquor licensing has seen a general rise in violence in central melbourne & areas with lots of nightclubs. With little or no public transport late at night or early morning, many of these drunk & potentially violent people end up in cabs.
There is also the issue of ethnicity. In the wake of 9-11 and Iraq cabbies who looked Middle Eastern or had Muslim-sounding names suffered a wave of abuse & even attacks. Since then names have been taken off cab identification. There has also been an increase in recent years in cabbies from India & the Horn of Africa. I actually think that there is something to the argument that a small percentage of people are more likely to behave badly toward people who are markedly different to themselves. Unfortunately this 'us & them' view of humanity was actively encouraged from above at times over the past decade. Little wonder the cabbies feel unloved.
Kudos to them for their protest ans kudos to all in the police & government who responded sensibly.