ATA says replacing policy manager David Coonan will be hard given his expertise
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) does not expect the task of filling the recently vacated role of policy manager will come easy.
The group says it will be hard replacing David Coonan, who last week retired from the role after eight years.
Coonan was involved in a number of high-level policy issues during his time at the ATA, including heavy vehicle charging reform, national regulations and telematics.
Upon retiring, Coonan was lauded for his detailed knowledge of engineering and trucks along with an expert understanding of government processes and regulations.
“It will be a hard job to fill because we will be looking for someone who does have that sort of engineering expertise as well as the broader policy focus as well,” ATA government relations and communications manager Bill McKinley says.
“We’re saddened by the fact David has had to retire.”
McKinley says work has not yet started on finding Coonan’s replacement.
But he adds that arrangements have been put in place in the meantime to continue the association’s policy work.
Coonan retired after an extended illness. He worked as a diesel mechanic and then as a bureaucrat in the Australian Capital Territory and federal governments before joining the ATA in 2006.