The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has released the provisional program for its upcoming state conference.
Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), minimum standards legislation, environment, sustainability, governance (ESG) will feature at this year’s VTA state conference in Phillip Island.
“Since announcing the conference in January our team has made tremendous progress planning for the annual event and confirming speakers and panellists to address delegates over two days at Silverwater Resort, Phillip Island from 17-19 March,” VTA CEO Peter Anderson says.
“Our provisional program features all the transport industry stakeholders joining us for important discussions on the big issues confronting freight operators and suppliers.
“We’ve selected Future Freight Landscapes as our theme, which has been inspired by a tumultuous year for the transport sector and industry more broadly.
“Emerging issues like cybersecurity, the rise of AI and increasing ESG compliance obligations are both a threat and an opportunity for operators, and the conference tackles these and other issues.”
Key speakers include WA senator and transport legislation committee chair Glenn Sterle, Victorian roads and freight minister Melissa Horne, Australian Signals Directorate First Assistant Director-General Derek Bopping and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator CEO Sal Petroccitto.
Transport Accident Commission CEO Tracey Slater and Industry Skills Australia CEO Paul Walsh are also set to speak at this year’s conference.
Anderson says ongoing challenges such as driver training and skills shortages, licencing reform, heavy vehicle national law and infrastructure renewal are just as relevant as they were 12 months ago, with the featured speakers to provide the industry updates on these issues.
“Among the more than 30 presenters we have lined up to address delegates are federal and Victorian roads, transport and freight ministers and their opposition shadows,” Anderson says.
“There’s also senior representatives from state and national road, safety and freight authorities, infrastructure bodies and supplier representatives.”