Former ATA deputy CEO remembered fondly as advocate and character
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) is mourning the passing of former deputy CEO Michael Apps who lost a long battle with cancer on Boxing Day.
Apps joined the ATA as government relations manager in 1994 as the organisation emerged and grew, the association notes.
He played a key role and made great contributions in expanding and deepening the ATA’s reach.
He developed a strong and effective presence around Parliament House in Canberra as the industry pursued fundamental and ultimately successful reform of industry taxes and charges and also changes to key day-to-day trucking industry regulations.
Read about the passing of trucking stalwart Brian Hicks, here
“Many industry colleagues met Michael during the ATA’s seminars that were run across Australia during the introduction of the GST and the important diesel fuel rebate scheme,” the association says.
“Michael brought a unique dynamism to his role managing to simultaneously engage in serious policy development implementation while leading an active and energetic life.
“He treated everyone equally and could mix and relate to all including drivers, unions, CEOs, and politicians through to the prime minister.
“He was not afraid to say it ‘as it was’ when necessary whilst building important coalitions in the political sphere to support the pursuit of the industry’s reform agenda.
“Many of his former ATA colleagues have highlighted how he used his own inimitable and perhaps ‘cheeky’ but effective style to assist and get the best out of people wherever he went.
“Words they have used to describe Michael include intelligent, articulate, talented, loyal and trustworthy. He has been accurately described as ‘a loveable larrikin who got under people’s guard and delivered his message in a way that all levels he dealt with could easily understand and not be offended’.”
Apps left the ATA in 2002 to take up the CEO position at the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) where he continued since then to pursue a vibrant reform agenda for that sector.