Future leaders gain insight as parliamentary friends gather
Industry and government representatives have, for the time being, buried any hatchets as the Australian Trucking Association’s (ATA’s) future leaders class of 2020 and the newly formed parliamentary friendship group gathered recently to share insights and advice.
The future leaders joined political lobbying efforts around topics of road-user charging, driver training, advanced emergency braking systems and payment terms.
Assistant road safety and freight minister Scott Buchholz, shadow transport minister Catherine King and shadow assistant road safety minister Senator Glenn Sterle were party to ATA initiative.
“These are issues of importance and relevance to every member of the Australian trucking industry. It is vital their interests are represented with a strong and united voice,” ATA chair Geoff Crouch says.
“The ATA is proud to work with our young leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving industry.
“The Daimler Truck and Bus Future Leaders’ Forum provides an invaluable opportunity for participants to further their careers while representing their member associations and businesses.
“Not only do our participants receive mentorship in media, leadership, and politics, they also have a chance to put their learnings into practice right away in real-life circumstances.
“It is clear from our time during the forum sessions and our meetings today at Parliament House that our 2020 cohort have the passion and expertise to make a positive change.”
How the future leaders class of 2020 was introduced, here
The group also sat in on the House of Representatives question time after a formal lunch with deputy prime minister Michael McCormack and assistant minister for regional development and territories Nola Marino.
The 2020 Future Leaders will each complete a project on a chosen industry issue, which will be presented at the 2020 Trucking Australia conference.
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS
The Canberra visit aligned with the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Trucks, Trailers, Transport and Logistics (PFTTTL).
The group is backed by Marino and Sterle, and held in conjunction with industry peak bodies the ATA and Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA).
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Geoff Crouch, Scott Buchholz, John Drake, Nola Marino, Todd Hacking, Ben Maguire
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HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking welcomed the opportunity to connect with federal representatives.
“We are very grateful for the support of MP’s from across party lines supporting our amazing industry,” he says.
HVIA chair John Drake acknowledged those who made time to get a better understanding of the heavy vehicle industry and its role in Australia’s economy, extending the invitation “to all parliamentarians to visit our members sites to see our world leading industry in action.”