yep, it's true

Yesterday I received an e-mail from Lawrence Money – gossip columnist at The Age -- and it said: 

‘Well, I know you're not dead Hinch so there is probably no truth in the latest roaring wildfire whisper that you are marrying Chantelle, the 6-foot--plus temptress. You wouldn't do it AGAIN, would you?? (signed) Money

Well, Lawrence. It is Chanel not Chantelle. Her name is Chanel Hayton.  And, yes, I AM marrying her. We secretly got engaged last weekend. And, being a person who desperately shuns the spotlight, she begged me to elope. That won’t happen. We shall get married at Willows in February or March. And, you are right, she IS a gorgeous temptress. I can’t believe I would do this again but I fell in love. I fell in love. We shant live together. We will keep separate apartments. It’s like you are permanently dating. Which aint bad. In fact it is beautiful.

I am excited -- although one of her main traits is that she actually makes me feel tranquil. Tranquil. An old-fashioned word in these frantic days. Makes me feel tranquil. And very, very happy.

And I am a very, very lucky old fart.

OK. That’s the personal news. On with the real news. 

Yesterday on the programme we were talking about taxi drivers. Talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. I have received heaps of e-mails from people. Customers and especially taxi drivers.

I said yesterday: 

Now I have heard everything. Melbourne cab drivers are going to be unofficial ambassadors for the Commonwealth Games. Yeah, sure. If Ethiopia were part of the Commonwealth that might make sense. I mean 90% of my cabbies seem to come from there. And about 95% of them use the excuse that it is their first day on the job when they can’t find Toorak Road. A couple of days ago I had a driver who didn’t know where St.Kilda was. Didn’t know where Fitzroy Street was. Didn’t know where Beaconsfield Parade was.  Didn’t know where the St. Kilda Marina was. I had to guide him in as if I were in a control tower. 

I can’t prove this but Hinch’s Hunch is that there is a racket going on here. That African and Middle Eastern drivers are taking turns at the wheel. One has a taxi driver’s licence and then they just hand it around. 

I know this view is shared by veteran taxi drivers who are struggling to make a quid, spend long hours behind the wheel, and actually take pride in their job. 

The e-mails I have received from veteran cabbies seem to confirm Hinch’s Hunch. There are scams going on. Licences being switched. Even uniforms being switched. There is a scam going on here and the authorities should be on to it. 

Friday, November 4, 2005

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2005