Over and 'tout': Touting to be banned in Victoria

It comes after a recent A Current Affair investigation exposed the fake "taxi" drivers luring unsuspecting travellers back to their vehicles. 

The drivers often charge excessive fees and can subject their customers to aggressive and predatory behaviour. 

The Andrews Government has agreed to back legislation that will ban the practice which has left many passengers feeling "harassed" and "threatened." 

Melbourne Airport has welcomed the crackdown. 

"Touting is an issue that has become a real public safety concern for us," Chief of Landside Access Lorie Argus told A Current Affair today.

"We're extremely pleased by the progress made to address this problem." 

ACA's report caught dozens of touters in the act. 

In one example, a touter led a passenger all the way off-site to a McDonald's car park after telling him he was a "taxi" driver. 

When approached by ACA, many of the drivers ran from the camera. 

Touting was removed as an offence when the industry became de-regulated, but Transport Matters MP Rod Barton will introduce legislation that will once again outlaw the practice. 

"I'm glad that pressure from Melbourne Airport, from the taxi and hire car industry, from Victoria Police and members of the public and the media have encouraged the Government to ban touting," Mr Barton said. 

Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne said the government has been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders across the industry. 

"We're happy to say that the government is supportive of this amendment," Minister Horne said. 

Touting will officially be banned by the end of the year, according to Mr Barton. 

"This is a message to the industry and passengers that touting is not acceptable and that safety is a priority," he said.