HVIA welcomes new NHVR Board

HVIA has welcomed the appointment of Patrick Conlon to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) Board, along with the re-appointment of Deputy Chair Julie Russell and board member Catherine Scott for a second term.

HVIA Chief Executive Todd Hacking acknowledged the experience that the appointments bring to supporting the regulator’s oversight of a safe, efficient and productive heavy vehicle industry.

“I know Patrick from my time in South Australia, and his experience will complement the diverse backgrounds and skills possessed by other NHVR Directors,” Mr Hacking said.

“We are grateful that the NHVR Board and Executive for their efforts to maintain a strong standard of continual improvement.

“Through their engagement with industry, the NHVR leadership group are working to ensure that service delivery is appropriately resourced and focussing on the right priorities.”

Mr Conlon’s appointment follows the resignation of Ken Lay in June.

The NHVR is governed by a skills-based board, which plays a key role under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) to ensure the NHVR functions in an effective and efficient way and is accountable to responsible ministers.

Responsible ministers from Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and the Australian Government have voting authority at the Infrastructure and Transport Minister’s Meeting to make board member recommendations.

Under the HVNL, the Queensland Minister (as host jurisdiction) is responsible for appointing NHVR Board members upon the unanimous recommendation of responsible ministers, including appointment of the chairperson and deputy chairperson.

Duncan Gay will continue on as NHVR Board Chairperson until October 2024, as will board member Robin Stewart-Crompton.

Board members are appointed for a period of three years.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said Mr Conlon has a distinguished career in the South Australian Government, holding a number of ministerial portfolios, including transport and infrastructure.

“During his 10 years as transport minister he was a strong advocate for national consistency in heavy vehicle regulation and worked together with then Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese to advance that agenda,” Minister King said.

“Mr Conlon also has extensive experience in board advisory roles and has recently provided strategic advice to a range of clients in the transport, energy, infrastructure and property industries.”

“I congratulate Mr Conlon, as well as Ms Russell and Ms Scott for their re-appointments, and look forward to working with them and the NHVR as we continue to drive a safe, efficient and productive heavy vehicle industry. I also thank Mr Lay for his service.”

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said Julie Russell and Catherine Scott are both highly respected within the heavy vehicle industry.

“Ms Russell’s commitment to the heavy vehicle transport industry is evident through her roles as a current board member and past presidency of the Queensland Trucking Association, and as board member and chair of the Skills and Workforce Committee of the Australian Trucking Association,” Mr Bailey said.

“She has worked both within her family business and in large multinational corporations across roles in risk and compliance, human resources, industrial relations, technology and strategic planning.

“Ms Scott has held directorships across a portfolio of organisations in transport, water, education and natural resources, and has a strong commitment to road safety, as shown by her appointment in 2020 as a commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board for their ongoing service to the Heavy Vehicle industry, and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future.”

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