ABC News reports that a New South Wales Senate inquiry has heard Uber Eats delivery riders in Sydney, Australia earn less than the casual minimum wage during peak meal times. The Select Committee on Job Security opened with the first of its public hearings into the gig economy, hearing from representatives of Uber, Uber Eats, Ola and Deliveroo. In its submission to the committee, Uber said its Uber Eats delivery riders earned AUD 21.55 per hour in Sydney through the app over peak meal times, this is below the AUD 24.80 casual workers wage in Australia. Uber told the committee most of its drivers, who are currently classed as independent contractors, did not want to become employees. Uber ANZ chief Dominic Taylor said, “The majority of drivers use Uber as a supplementary income."

Uber Eats general manager Matthew Denman said the company was prepared to engage in a discussion about establishing a minimum payment for riders or drivers, but only for when they were on a delivery or during a fare. Rideshare platform Ola also indicated it would accept some regulation if it was applied to everyone in the market.