Thousands of Australian taxi and hire-car drivers have secured a record-breaking $271.8 million compensation package after a landmark class action against rideshare giant Uber, concluding a fierce seven-year legal battle.
It is reported that this payout — the fifth-largest settlement in Australian legal history — comes after the appeal period expired last week, marking a significant legal victory for the 8,700 drivers and operators who joined the class action led by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Former taxi driver and ex-Victorian MP Rod Barton, who played a key role in launching the case, told news.com.au that this win is long-overdue justice for those impacted by Uber’s disruptive entry into the Australian market.
Although the compensation won’t restore the full financial damage — such as plummeting licence values and loss of income — Barton said it offers important vindication.
Lawyer Kim Adey, the manager of Maurice Blackburn’s settlement claims assessment team, who is overseeing the settlement distribution, said assessments are now underway to determine individual payouts.
The case was launched in 2019 in Victoria’s Supreme Court and gained momentum after Uber was accused of entering the Australian market, allegedly flouting existing taxi and hire-car regulations.
Last year Uber said it complies with rideshare laws in every state and territory and since 2018, Uber has also contributed to various state-level compensation schemes for the taxi industry.
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