Simon National Carriers boss takes on ATA's chairmanship and tells the group it needs to do better
March 24, 2010
The boss of Simon National Carriers has been elected as the chairman of the Australian Trucking Association, using his appointment to criticise the running of the group.
David Simon was elected unopposed to the position at today’s annual general meeting after Trevor Martyn decided to stand down since becoming chairman in 2006.
While saying the ATA is in good shape, Simon used his inaugural address to the group to say it needs to better connect with its member associations and the wider trucking community.
“Unless we do we will always be open to criticism,” he told the ATA.
He says the group also needs to get more people involved in the association.
“We need to reinvigorate the ATA – we need young people to stand up and contribute to the future of the industry,” Simon says.
The new chairman highlighted road pricing reform and the introduction of the national trucking regulator as the key policy challenges for the ATA the next two years.
However he says safety will remain the highest priority for the group, which is currently developing a list of safety priorities to focus on for the next three years.
Simon also used his address to thank Martyn.
“Trevor has done a tremendous job as ATA chairman over the past four years,” he says.
Bunker Freightlines General Manager Kathy Williams was also re-elected unopposed as the ATA’s secretary and treasurer.
Denis Robertson, Mike Almond and Mark Sullivan were re-elected to the ATA Board unopposed.
Simon has long been involved in the ATA, sitting on it board and chairing its Transport and Economics Policy Committee.
His Queensland-based company has more than 150 trucks and is a leading transport and warehouse and distribution provider.