Uber Australia has agreed to an independent review of its Australian operations in response to a disability discrimination case filed by Paula Hobley in the Federal Court. Paula brought the case after she was refused rides by Uber drivers more than 30 times while travelling with her Guide Dog.
Paula and Uber have settled the case without admission of liability following mediation. The Justice and Equity Centre represented Paula throughout the proceedings.
The independent review of Uber’s Australian operations will examine Uber driver refusals to transport people with assistance animals, and will be led by a Chair who is a person with disability. The outcome of the review, including the Chair’s findings, recommendations and evaluation of Uber’s implementation of those recommendations, will be released in 2028.
Paula and Uber have released a joint statement on the settlement.
Quotes attributable to Paula Hobley:
‘I brought this case after Uber drivers refused to pick me up more than 30 times when I was travelling with my Guide Dog. The refusals severely limited my independence, caused me immense stress and made me feel like a second-class citizen. All I wanted was a ride, like anybody else.
‘This issue doesn’t only impact me. I’ve heard from countless others who travel with their assistance dogs and their stories are frustratingly similar. There are patterns of discrimination that leave countless people with disability stranded and isolated.
‘Running a legal case against a multinational corporation has been frustrating and time consuming. But with this review, Uber has a genuine opportunity to understand the extent of the problem and what needs to be done to fix it.’
A statement from the mediation detailing Paula’s experiences is available on request.
Quotes attributable to Mitchell Skipsey, Senior Solicitor at the Justice and Equity Centre:
‘We congratulate Paula on this outcome. Paula has taken on Uber, a multinational giant, and forced them to listen and act.
‘Uber says it has systems in place to ensure drivers understand their legal obligation to transport people with assistance animals. But, as we see in cases like Paula’s, those systems are failing.
‘Uber must use this review to take accountability and identify and implement effective measures to ensure Uber drivers follow the law. People with disability have a right to the same access to rideshare services as others in the community – Uber needs to make sure they are not denied that right.’
Media contact: JEC Media and Communications Manager Dan Buhagiar, 0478 739 280
