On this day in 1966, when the app-driven rideshare boom would have seemed other-worldly, a council to administer the territory's taxi industry was announced.
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Then-minister for the interior, Doug Anthony, told a Canberra audience it would have an independent chairman, but the department would provide it with a representative as well as office and secretarial services.
"He said the proposed council would investigate the need for additional taxi licences [and] recommend the licensing of more taxis," a story on the front page of The Canberra Times said.
"[It would also] determine the suitability of prospective owners and drivers, investigate and deal with complaints, and make recommendations to the minister on matters affecting the industry."
The ACT Advisory Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Taxi Proprietors Association had all been invited to elect members to the council.
The story was the only local one on that day's front page, except for a pointer to a story on page three about intense demand for property in the ACT and Queanbeyan slackening.