Racist rant turns off tourist

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

AN interstate tourist disgusted by a Cairns taxi driver's racist rant has called for a mandatory training program to stamp out "redneck" intolerance in the service industry.

Interstate visitor Andrew (who asked that his surname not be used) said he was surprised anyone would want to visit Cairns after the conversation he had with a taxi driver who picked him up at the airport yesterday.

He said the cabbie railed against local Aboriginal kids, Ugandan refugees and Indian taxi drivers.

"The taxi driver was so racist that they complained about every non-white person living and working in Cairns," he said.

"I felt like turning around and catching the next plane out of town.

"If every tourist arriving into Cairns has to listen to such disgusting redneck comments I am surprised anyone visits here."

In an unrelated case, the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal is expected to give its decision within weeks into the case of an Aboriginal man who claims he was racially vilified by a Cairns taxi driver.

Manoora man James Sailor claimed Black and White Taxi driver Nelson Hubbucks called him a "black bastard" and swore at him outside a Murray St unit complex in March 2005.

A Cairns taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said there was a definite need for a training program to educate drivers about appropriate customer service.

Black and White Taxis fleet manager Chris White said all drivers signed the company’s anti-discrimination policy and received training when gaining their taxi licence.

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