NSW Freight Transport Advisory Council

Duncan served as the NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight from 2011 to 2017 and was responsible for Roads and Maritime Services, NSW Centre for Road Safety and Port Authority of NSW and joint responsibility of Transport for NSW. In 2018, Duncan was appointed Chairman of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and joined the board of MU Group as Chairman. 

Andrew was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aurizon in December 2016. At Aurizon, Andrew has implemented initiatives to leverage the core expertise of the business in heavy haulage and rail infrastructure.  Prior to starting with Aurizon, Andrew was the global Chief Executive of Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore business. 

Austin is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Vellex Group of Companies and current Chairman of Road Freight NSW, accepting the role in April 2021. Austin has been a director of the Australian Trucking Association since 2014 and is Deputy Chairman.

Dr Hermione Parsons has more than 25 years executive management experience in public and private sector organisations with responsibility for: port landside logistics, multimodal infrastructure, competition and regulatory reform, supply chain strategy in food and agribusiness, and industry government relations. Dr Parsons has led many projects relating to ‘whole of supply chain’ integration and complexity across Australia and internationally.

Caroline commenced as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) in February 2020. Caroline previously served as the CEO of the Australian Airports Association (AAA) from which she developed extensive policy and advocacy experience to connect urban and regional communities.

Craig was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Port of Newcastle in 2018. Craig has overseen the modernisation of the port by delivering on organisational strategy that focuses on environmental impacts, sustainability and diversification. Craig has held senior roles in the Australian Defence Force, federal government and private sector. 

Geoff is the Managing Director of Ron Crouch Transport and has more than 23 years’ experience in the industry. Geoff has been a director of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) since 2013 and held the position of Chair from 2017-2020. Geoff is also a former President of ATA, and familiar with the challenges and opportunities facing trucking operators.

Les is an experienced senior executive with a demonstrated history in all elements of the transportation supply chain with experience in road, rail and air freight operations. Les is a change management specialist with a genuine focus on team and individual development with a clear and demonstrated focus on road safety and compliance.

Mike is the Chief Executive Officer of Ports Australia, the peak industry body for the Australian ports sector. Over the past five years Mike has been a strong and successful advocate for the port industry.  From 2011-2014, Mike was appointed Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter, and Vice-President of the Executive Council, Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

Neil is Executive General Manager of Namoi Cotton. He has over 35 years of agribusiness and supply chain experience in strategy and business development, operations and mergers & acquisitions. He has worked in executive and senior management roles for GrainCorp, and Pacific National. He has also consulted for a range of companies in the agricultural sector and supporting handling and logistics.

Paul has been the Managing Director of Qube since 2021, with over 30 years’ executive management experience in supply chain and port logistics roles across Australia. Paul has experience developing sustainable and innovative supply chain solutions including port logistics and freight forwarding services for major projects, partners and clients. Paul is a non-executive director of Patrick. 

Wade Lewis has over 20 years’ in the heavy vehicle industry encompassing various positions such as Business Owner, Operations Manager, Driver, Logistics Manager, Intermodal Manager, and Trainer as well as a range of volunteer positions including President of the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association (May 2022 - current), Member of the NSW Government Connectivity Network Committee and NSW Livestock Loading Scheme Training Steering Committee.

Rick is responsible for leading the Store Delivery transport function across the Woolworths supermarkets and BIG W stores as well as servicing  partner stores Dan Murphy’s and BWS. Rick oversees the movement of some 17 million pallets of product to more than 3,000 stores nationally.

Scott is a senior executive at Mondiale VGL. An innovation and continuous improvement champion, Scott has an outstanding track record in delivering strong financial and operational results and developing successful change programs by engaging key stakeholders.
 

Warren is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad). He has successfully grown and managed the organisation through unprecedented challenges including COVID-19 and extreme weather events. Warren possesses a strong business and leadership record and a deep understanding of the road transport industry in Australia. 

Marika is the Chief Executive Officer of NSW Ports, the private sector organisation responsible for managing Port Botany, Port Kembla and the intermodal terminals at Cooks River and Enfield. Marika has over 20 years’ experience in the port sector across a range of portfolio areas including port planning and development. Marika represents the sector advising government on industry reform agendas.   

Alex Claassens is the New South Wales Secretary and National Executive Member of the RBTU and was elected to the position in 2010. Alex has worked at the heart of public sector transport and the transport industry for all his working life. He began his career as a train driver on the NSW rail network in Lithgow in 1977 and remains a qualified passenger train and steam locomotive driver to this day.

Richard Olsen began his employment with the TWU in 1998 and was elected and served as the South Coast and Southern Sub-branch Secretary from 2003 to 2013. Richard was elected as TWU NSW Assistant Secretary in 2012 and in mid-2016 became the TWU NSW State Secretary. Richard is of the strong belief that the relationship between the union movement and the political wing is the key to a more progressive and fairer Australia.

Paul Garrett has held the position of Deputy Secretary of the Sydney Divisional Branch of The Maritime Union of Australia, since 2021, previously being the Assistant Secretary from 2003. Paul has worked in the maritime industry since 18 years of age and has extensive experience in dealing with safety, industrial, government and regulatory issues affecting maritime workers operating on or about Sydney Harbour, Port Botany and on other waterways around Australia.